GJM gives ultimatum to WB govt, tourists leave Darjeeling

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha on Saturday gave an ultimatum to the West Bengal government to meet its demands by July 13 failing which it threatened of an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling. Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said "tourists have almost all come down to the plains in view of the threatened strike by the Morcha".

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha on Saturday gave an ultimatum to the West Bengal government to meet its demands by July 13 failing which it threatened of an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling. Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said "tourists have almost all come down to the plains in view of the threatened strike by the Morcha".

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Asked about the ultimatum served by GJM to the government to concede its demands by mid day of July 13, Sen said it appeared that the Morcha was heading towards an indefinite bandh in the hills.

District Magistrate Surendra Gupta said, "There are very few tourists in Darjeeling as this is the off season. Most hotels are empty. It will be not be a problem for the few tourists to leave."

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said that letter has been faxed to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee giving a noon deadline of July 13 for removal of North Bengal IGP KL Tamta and an inquiry into on Friday's baton charge on GJM supporters at Panighatta.

Giri told PTI over phone from Darjeeling that Additional SP Akhilesh Chaturvedi under whom the 'unprovoked' baton charge was initiated be punished.