Gorkha Janmukti Morcha parts ways with GTA, says strike will continue

GJM chief Bimal Gurung said that he and 43 other GJM members are quitting GTA.

"GTA chapter is closed. Our resignation letters will be sent to GTA secretary and West Bengal governor shortly," Bimal Gurung said.

Meanwhile, local police on Thursday lodged an FIR on suo motto basis against 24 leader-activists of GJM, including Bimal Gurung and his wife Asha Gurung, officials said.

"On Jun 17, Morcha activists attacked police at Patlebas and Singmari areas soon after police raided a GJM office at Patlebas and recovered several weapons," a local police official told IBNS.

"GJM supporters shot several rounds of bullets from .303 rifles and 9mm pistols aiming at security forces that day and few of their supporters were shot dead. We have charged as many as 24 leader-activists of GJM with murder for the death of their activists," he added.

Meanwhile, Bimal Gurung said that it is just a conspiracy of the Mamata Banerjee-government.

"We didn't fire a single bullet and our four activists were killed after police opened fire on them. We have enough evidences and footage, which will prove that police fired bullets on protesters on Jun 17," Gurung said.

"Our one and only demand is Gorkhaland and our movement will be strengthened. Shut down in Darjeeling will be continued. I'm challenging Mamata Banerjee- arrest me if you can," he added.

Meanwhile, a 12-hour relaxation in GJM's indefinite strike is currently underway in Darjeeling hills.

Chief Minister of Darjeeling's neighbouring state Sikkim, Pawan Chamling, reportedly has sent a letter to the Centre supporting the demand for separate state of Gorkhaland.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)