The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on Thursday first changed the indefinite bandh in the hills into a four-day affair because of Id but within hours, it again reversed its decision and said that the bandh beginning on Saturday would be indefinite.
Explaining the reason for this flip-flop, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said his party was forced to take the hard decision after it learnt of the arrival of the central paramilitary forces.
“The Bengal government wants to crush our democratic and peaceful movement with the help of the central paramilitary forces. This has forced us to harden our stand. Now we have decided to impose an indefinite bandh in the hills from Saturday,” he said, adding that the bandh would be lifted for a day on August 15. Sources said that five companies of central forces arrived in Siliguri, which would reach Darjeeling on Friday. Two companies of state security forces are also being sent to the hills.
North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb said that it was the duty of the state government to maintain law and order and prevent any strife and violence in the hills and plains.
“The government will take every measure including sending central forces to ensure that prevailing peace in the region is not disturbed,” he added.
The GJM, however, viewed the deployment of forces as sign of confrontation. GJM chief Bimal Gurung on Thursday lashed out against chief minister Mamata Banerjee blaming her “constant interference” for the failure of the GTA. Mr Gurung will address a massive rally in Darjeeling on August 11, in which he will unveil his next course of agitation.
On Thursday, after the three-day bandh, shops, markets, banks and educational institutions reopened for two days. There were long queues of desperate people who wanted to purchase large stocks in view of the indefinite shutdown. Queues were also seen outside ATMs. Many tourists and school boarders left and many were leaving Darjeeling.
Bangla and Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee and Shiv Sena called a 48-hour bandh in Siliguri, Dooars and other parts of the plains from Thursday in retaliation to the proposed GJM bandh in the hills.