Ghisingh agrees to quit, rivals call off stir

“Ghisingh is like poison to the hill people now and the hills should not get contaminated,” said Gurung in the evening. “He can, of course, collect his essentials through his people who are still in the hills,” he added.

However, later at night, the Morcha decided to allow Ghisingh passage to Darjeeling following a request from Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Ghisingh wanted to give his resignation from Lalkuthi, the DGHC’s administrative headquarters, Bhattacharjee told the Morcha leaders.

The announcement about Ghisingh’s willingness to resign was made by Bhattacharjee this afternoon through a written statement in the state secretariat. “I have discussed the latest situation in Darjeeling with all concerned yesterday, the report of the parliamentary standing committee on home on the issue of the introductoin of the Sixth Schedule in the Darjeeling hills was placed in the Parliament. It was proposed in the report that the union home ministry make a reassessment of the situation in Darjeeling,” he wrote.

“Meanwhile, Shri Subhash Ghisingh, administrator, DGHC, has said that he will resign within the next 10 days,” he added. “In view of the current developments, I would urge all concerned to call off their agitation and hunger strike, and help restore normal conditions in the hills of Darjeeling.”

Following the announcement, the GJM immediately called off its stir. Those on hunger strike were taken to hospital, where some are said to be in a serious condition.

There is widespread speculation in different circles about the 10-day time frame sought by Ghisingh, who is in Delhi at present. Some believe that he is assessing the ground situation in the hills and weighing his strengths and weaknesses before deciding his next move.

Meanwhile, about 5,000 GNLF supporters are said to have joined the Morcha in different parts of the hills today. “More are expected to join us in the next few days,” said Benoy Tamang, a Morcha spokesman in Darjeeling.