Howrah News Service -  Latest news and headlines on Howrah,West Bengal and World: Buddhadeb requests GJM to call off hunger strike

Buddhadeb requests GJM to call off hunger strike
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editor on 24 February, 2008 08:14:00
 
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Sunday
appealed the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) to end its eight-day-old hunger
strike and sit for a dialogue with him 'as early as possible.'
"The prevailing situation of Darjeeling is serious. I am appealing to all
parties which are agitating and are holding hunger strike to call off their
fast," he said in a statement.
It is the first attempt by Bhattacharjee since the trouble over GNLF chief
Subash Ghising's continuation as the caretaker administrator of Darjeeling
Gorkha Hill Council erupted earlier this month.
Three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kalimgpong and Kurseong are in the grip
of an indefinite bandh by GJM for the fifth day today demanding Ghising's
resignation and a separate Gorkhaland state.
GJM is against the proposed sixth schedule status to Darjeeling.
The bandh was relaxed for four hours on Saturday to allow people to buy
essential items.
Ghising, who met Bhattacharjee here yesterday after being forced by GJM to stay
at Pintal village in the outskirts of Siliguri since his return from New Delhi
on February 19, has ruled out resigning before the expiry of his term on March
24.  "I am still the king of Darjeeling. I am going to play a more important
role after Darjeeling gets the sixth schedule status," he said on Saturday.