The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), spearheading an agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state, is now considering withdrawal of the indefinite shutdown it has called in the Darjeeling Hills of West Bengal ahead of the tripartite meeting on the issue next month.
"We're discussing within our party the issue of withdrawing the indefinite shutdown in the hills. We've already withdrawn the blockade from the National Highway (NH)-31A and all tea gardens are already kept out of the purview of the strike," said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri.
The central and state governments will have a meeting with the pro-Gorkhaland parties Aug 11. "We want the discussion to be focussed on our Gorkhaland demand," he said.
The GJM called an indefinite shutdown from July 13 in support of its demand. The shutdown has paralysed life in Darjeeling's three hill sub-divisions - Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty said the state government had requested the GJM leadership to withdraw their strike.
"The GJM leadership has informed us that they are now considering withdrawing the shutdown in the hills. They will let us know about their decision in a day or two," Chakraborty said.
{{/usCountry}}"The GJM leadership has informed us that they are now considering withdrawing the shutdown in the hills. They will let us know about their decision in a day or two," Chakraborty said.
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