GJM calls three-day bandh to press for ''Gorkhaland''

Kolkata, Dec 10 (PTI) With the Centre conceding to the demand for a Telangana state bifurcating Andhra Pradesh, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) today said its demand for a separate ''Gorkhaland'' should also be allowed and announced a three-day bandh in Darjeeling hills from December 14. "Since Telangana, on the lines of the Gorkhaland statehood demand, has been approved by the Centre, our demand for a separate state carved out of West Bengal should also be conceded by the Centre," GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told PTI from Darjeeling.

"Ours is a 102-year-old demand. We should be given justice and we have called a three-day bandh from December 14 in Darjeeling to press for it," Giri, who left for Delhi as the head of a four-member GJM team to take up the issue, said.

Besides the bandh, a fast-unto-death by 21 GJM members would begin from tomorrow in the hill areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, besides Siliguri in the plains, GJM President Bimal Gurung said. Tripartite talks, involving the Centre and the state government, with the GJM are scheduled in Darjeeling on December 21.

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