Gorkhaland activists sit on hunger strike

Siliguri, Feb 5 (ANI): Activists of students wing of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJMM) sat on a hunger strike on Thursday to pressurise their demand for carving out a separate state of Gorkhaland.

The activists of GJMM students wing were seeking permission for an open rally to be held on February 6 in Siliguri to raise their demand, which was not granted by the administration.

Following this, the activists sat on hunger strike and also trapped district magistrate and other senior officials inside their offices.

Activists said that unless they get No Objection Certificate (NOC) the strike would continue.

"This is completely a diplomatic conspiracy of the administration to deny us the permission. So to protest against this, students are sitting on indefinite hunger strike. And it would continue till our demands are met." said Keshab Raj Pokhreil, secretary of the GJMM students wing.

Gorkhas have been demanding a separate state, to be carved out of West Bengal, to protect their culture and heritage.

The Gorkha population in West Bengal is estimated to be around a million. (ANI)