Strike has been with been withdrawn till 20 October

Post from Bimal Gurung Official Facebook Page

The Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee in Darjeeling today decided to put on hold our agitation for a separate State till October 20th 2013. This is in deference to the appeal by the Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde as a prerequisite for tripartite talks on the statehood issue. The condition set is that the talks should be held by October 20. The Home Minister has clearly stated that no new states cannot be created "immediately". We reiterate that the solution to Gorkhaland is not immediate and that it requires stepwise dialogue to solve the century old demand of the Gorkhas. We decry the hostile and confrontationist attitude of the State Government and would henceforth expect its cooperation to take the tripartite talks forward. We will also organize a sit in Dharna in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong from 13th September onward in our traditional attire. 

The students and Heads of educational institutions will also write a fax to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the President of India regarding Gorkhaland. With this in mind I would like to remind all sides who agree on the need for tranquillity in the region to come together in inclusive dialogue to relook at the emerging reality in the hills. The Tripartite dialogue should be on the GJM’s ultimate demand. The GJM reiterates its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of the people and to ensure peace and calm in the Darjeeling hills It will indeed be unfortunate if any of the stakeholders who may share a common concern for the future of the region turns away from the prospect of a solution to the Hill problem. I am honoured to be given additional charge of functioning as the next chairman of the GJAC with Mr R B Rai as my aide. Mr Enos Kumar Pradhan will be the Committee’s spokesperson Our Movement for Gorkhaland continues...