Demand for a separate Gorkhaland resurfaces in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, June 10 : Members of the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) called for an indefinite shutdown from today in an attempt to intensify their movement for a separate Gorkhaland.

Their aim is to mount pressure on the State and Central Governments for the creation of a separate state.

A day after GJM advised tourist to leave Darjeeling, tea estates in the region were closed observing the shutdown call.

All national highways passing through the proposed Gorkhaland were closed.

Members of the party said that their protests would intensify and the situation might worsen in the near future if their demands are not met.

"We are protesting here today. India is a democratic nation. We are on an indefinite strike demanding 'Gorkhaland', a separate land," said Uttam Subba, leader of GJM.

GJMM comprising about half a dozen parties, has been organizing protests over the past few months in the Darjeeling hills demanding action for a separate Gorkhaland state. The group had revived the demand for Sixth schedule status while the GJMM, a breakaway faction of the GNLF, opposes it demanding full-fledged statehood. The West Bengal Government has been resisting demands for a separate state for the Gorkhas.

ANI