Gorkha body chief quits, GJM prepares for 'bigger protest'

Kolkata, July 31: Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive officer Bimal Gurung, who is also the chief of the Gorlha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), resigned from the post on Tuesday to focus on the separate state of Gorkhaland in northern West Bengal. His decision was hastened by the formation of separate Telangana state in Andhra Pradesh in southern India.

Confirming the news about Gurung's resignation, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said it was time for them to go on a "bigger protest" in demand of a separate Gorkhaland state. He said the GJM chief had sent his resignation to West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan.

Giri also said that the GJM has asked tourists and students who are studying in Darjeeling to leave the hills immediately for the party is set to begin an indefinite strike from August 3.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the second day of the 72-hour strike in demand for a separate Gorkhaland in the hills, a middle-aged GJM supporter tried to immolate himself at Dambarchawk area in kalimpong sub-division in Darjeeling district. The activist, identified as Mongal Singh Rajput, had severe burn injuries and was said to be in a critical condition.

OneIndia News