GJMM seeks divine intervention for separate homeland

Siliguri, July 13 : Members of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJMM), waging a struggle for separate state for Gorkha people, switch to religious mode and offer prayers for attaining 'Gorkhaland 'in Siliguri.

Gorkhas, the Nepalis are demanding a separate "Gorkhaland" to be carved out of West Bengal to protect their culture and heritage.

GJMM members now believe that their prayers will help in strengthening the Gorkhaland movement.

People are chanting religious hymns and they are also performing religious rituals at the prayer service organised for the achievement of Gorkhaland.

"There are various sub-castes of Gorkha, all of us will be offering prayers here till August 7. This is a part of our non-violent movement. We are offering prayers from the bottom of our heart and all this is not a show-off. We believe that with our prayers we will gain strength," Aman Lama, a GJMM leader.

The GJMM, comprising about half a dozen parties, has been organizing protests over the past few months in the Darjeeling Hills.

GJMM has relaxed the indefinite shutdown till August 7, which it had called from June 10 to mount pressure for their demand.

On GJMM's demand, the West Bengal government has urged the centre to hold tripartite talks on the issue.

Gorkhas constitute one million of West Bengal's 80 million people, most of them concentrated in Darjeeling.

ANI