GJM decides to 145;suspend146; stir after meeting Governor

After meeting Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi in Darjeeling on Wednesday, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has decided to suspend its ongoing non-cooperation movement till the second round of tripartite talks scheduled for November 2.

After meeting Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi in Darjeeling on Wednesday, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha GJM has decided to suspend its ongoing non-cooperation movement till the second round of tripartite talks scheduled for November 2.

Speaking to The Indian Express after the meeting, GJM Secretary Roshan Giri said the decision was taken after Gandhi requested the Morcha delegation to create a 8220;congenial atmosphere8221; for the talks.

8220;Till the next round of talks, vehicles entering the Hills from the plains, including commercial ones and taxis, will not have to use 8216;GL8217; Gorkhaland number plates. The directive to change government and commercial signboards from West Bengal to Gorkhaland will also remain suspended from Thursday,8221; Giri said.

Siliguri-based organisations, who had begun a 72-hour road blockade of the Hills, also called off their agitation on Wednesday. This, after the district administration assured them that vehicles will no longer have to sport 8220;GL8221; number plates while plying in the Hills. The administration also promised them adequate security.

The GJM delegation had submitted a memorandum to the governor detailing GJM8217;s demand for Gorkhaland and also the activities of Siliguri-based organisations like Amra Bangalee, Jan Jagaran Manch and CITU.

8220;We have mentioned clearly that such organisations are backed by the Left Front government. The governor requested us to facilitate a congenial atmosphere and assured us that he will speak to the chief minister,8221; said GJM spokesman Benoy Tamang.

While the GJM announced its decision to suspend the movement around 6 pm, the district administration had already informed Siliguri-based taxi drivers and transporters a few hours earlier that they will not have to sport 8220;GL8221; number plates.

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The CITU-affiliated Darjeeling District Taxi and Private Car Drivers8217; Union had refused to ply in the Hills alleging intimidation and violence by the GJM. It had organised picketing at Darjeeling More on Wednesday, which was lifted at 3 pm after meeting with the Siliguri ADM and ASP.

Union president Ajay Chakraborty told The Indian Express: 8220;Taxis have resumed services to the Hills and we8217;ve instructed the drivers not to discard the 8220;WB8221; plates. If GJM supporters harass us, our drivers will leave their vehicles at the spot and return to Siliguri. We will then resume our agitation,8221; said Chakraborty.

In Kolkata, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said the state government has deliberately kept the Gorkhaland issue burning. 8220;The matter can be resolved immediately, if only the government has transparency, will power and credibility to do it.8221;

She said there should be a separate secretariat to address problems of the Hills.