Darjeeling: After the decision on Telangana, there have been demands for the formation of smaller states and the agitation for Gorkhaland is set to resume from Monday. The Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee (GJAC) along with others are expected to go on a day long "ghar bitrai janta" (people inside homes) agitation programme later today.
Meanwile, the police raids continue and 400 people have been arrested so far.
The GJAC had also decided to block outgo of timber and tea from the Hills and hold rallies between August 20 and August 23. GJAC chairman Enos Das Pradhan said after a meeting at Singmari that they would not allow timber and tea to go outside the Hills. However, he did not set any date for commencement of the blockade.
In the next four days, Pradhan said, people would hold rallies.
In a Facebook post, GJM president Bimal Gurung said, from August 20 to August 23, they would observe "Ghar Bhaira Janta" (people outside homes). "We have decided to change the plan as we want the voices of Gorkhaland to be heard from August 20-23. So there will be rallies in all parts of the proposed Gorkhaland area from 20 to 23 August," Gurung said.
He, however, added, "There won't be any picketing and forced close-down. The GJAC hopes people (will) voluntarily close down (shops and markets) and come to the rallies for
Gorkhaland."
Pradhan said other agitation programmes like holding torch rallies on August 24 and 25 and forming human chains on August 26 would be in place as part of a long-drawn agitation
over their demand of a separate state.
On August 27-28, Gorkhas from all over the country would send fax messages demanding Gorkhaland to the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister and other prominent figures, he said, adding that the next GJAC meeting would be held on August 29.
At the very first meeting of the GJAC on August 16 after it was formed, a crack had appeared when the All India Gorkha League staged a walk-out demanding that all GJM members of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration resign first.
(With additional inputs from PTI)
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