Protests for separate Gorkhaland continue in Darjeeling

Panchonoi (West Bengal), Jan 23 (ANI): Activists of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM), who are spearheading the movement for a separate Gorkhaland state, created communication bottlenecks in the Darjeeling region on Friday.

At Panchonoi, which is located between Siliguri in the foothills and Darjeeling, GJMM activists blocked the national highway and also movement of the toy train.

"The local people are protesting for their demand and in this our train has been stopped. So we are facing some problem and a worried lot. I have booked a hotel and if the money is refunded then it will be helpful," noted Prakash Seth a passenger.

Activists said they would continue their protests till the Central Government concedes their demand for a political dialogue on the Gorkhaland issue.

"We are staging this protest for our demand, we blocked the national highway. This protest will continue till we get a confirmation from the central government about holding the talks at political level," said Hemant Gautam, a GJMM leader, Panchonoi.he Gorkhas have been demanding a separate state, to be carved out of West Bengal, to help them preserve their culture and heritage.

West Bengal's Gorkha population is estimated to be around a million. (ANI)