Mamata's 72-hour ultimatum to GJM on Darjeeling shutdown

Kolkata, Aug 10: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) to withdraw its indefinite shutdown in the Darjeeling hills, failing which the government "will be compelled to take strong action".

"I give them 72-hours to withdraw their shutdown. We have tolerated it for eight days. Enough is enough. I cannot tolerate that the whole state is suffering due to the political interests of a few," Banerjee told mediapersons here.

"If they do not withdraw the shutdown, then as per the court's order we will be compelled to take strong action just like when required, we have to take strong medicine," said Banerjee.

Life in north Bengal's Darjeeling hills has been crippled since Saturday after the GJM called an indefinite shutdown demanding a separate Gorkhaland.

IANS