GJM 'relaxes' hunger strike

Responding to the appeal by Union Home minister P Chidambaram, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha on Saturday decided to "relax" the indefinite hunger strike in Darjeeling.

Responding to the appeal by Union Home minister P Chidambaram, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha on Saturday decided to "relax" the indefinite hunger strike in Darjeeling, for creating a conducive atmosphere for Monday's tripartite talks on its demand for Gorkhaland.

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"The hunger strike will be relaxed from 4:30 pm today in deference to the appeal by the Home Minister yesterday and be resumed from December 22," GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told PTI over phone.

This was decided at a marathon meeting, presided over by GJM supremo Bimal Gurung.Altogether 105 GJM supporters went on hunger-strike since December 11 in the Darjeeling hills and Siliguri and the Dooars in the plains.

Some of the participants had to be hospitalised after they fell ill. On Friday, in a statement Chidamabaram had said "the deteriorating health of some who are fasting is a matter of concern to all of us.Hence, I would appeal to the GJM to call off the fast-unto-death stir immediately and utilise its time and energy to prepare for the tripartite talks."