GLM activists'' march foiled, tribal group calls off bandh

Jalpaiguri (WB), Feb 17 (PTI) The GJM''s bid to takeout a march to Sipchu in this district in protest against theFebruary 8 firing on its activists was foiled by police todayfollowing which a tribal group that began an indefinite bandhin Dooars area to oppose Gorkhaland withdrew its strike.

The Adivasi Vikas Parishad had called the bandh inprotest against the ''padayatras'' by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha(GJM) in the area demanding a separate Gorkhaland state.

Terai-Dooars president of the Adivasi Vikas ParishadJan Berla said the bandh was withdrawn after police blockedthe GJM procession at Hatipota, which is inhabited by a largenumber of Adivasis, during the day.

GJM activists had begun the padayatra from Sankosh toSipchu, the scene of police firing on its activists whichclaimed three lives. The police stopped them at Hatipota.

"However, the Parishad would not hesitate to call abandh again if such rallies by GJM is not stopped in future,"Berla said.

The bandh was total in the tea gardens, at Hasimara,Kalchini, Banerhat and Birpara but life in Jalpaiguri andAlipurduar was normal, the police said.

Meanwhile, the GJM''s indefinite bandh in Darjeeling topress for Gorkhaland entered the 10th day and hit life acrossthe district.

GJM president Bimal Gurung is camping at Kumani, nearSipchu which is the gateway to Dooars since February 11demanding that he be allowed to take out a padayatra toSankosh.