GJMM postpones its indefinite strike

Kolkata, Feb 13 (UNI) The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) today postponed its indefinite strike, which already started from yesterday in support of its 11-point charter of demands, in the Darjeeling hills following an ''assurance'' from the West Bengal Government to look into its demands.

Morcha Secretary Roshan Giri, who led a seven-member delegation to meet Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray, demanded that GNLF supremo Subash Ghising be removed as head of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, an autonomous body, and that the sixth schedule status not be conferred on Darjeeling.

''The Government has assured us to look into the demands. It has sought three days before coming out with a final stand,'' Mr Giri told reporters at the state Secretariat.

The Morcha, a breakaway faction of the Gorkha National Liberation Front, has been trying to revive a movement in the Darjeeling hills for separate statehood.

UNI KDG KK MSJ KN2006