Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung on Saturday rejected chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s withdrawal-of-bandh demand and asked her to withdraw her ultimatum instead. In a clear attempt to put more pressure on the government, Mr Gurung threatened to impose what he described as “people’s curfew” in the hills if she did not withdraw her 72-hour deadline.
“We are not going to be cowed down by the chief minister’s threats. We will continue to raise our voices on the streets. Mamata Banerjee has issued a statement threatening to lift our bandh through force. She is welcome to use her force. We are ready to lay down our lives. If she does not withdraw her ultimatum in 72 hours then we will impose janata curfew. Everyone will be forced to remain indoors and no will be allowed to come out,” he added.
The chief minister and the GJM leadership are clearly heading for a showdown. Shortly after the chief minister gave the 72-hour deadline, a large-scale raid under the supervision of SP, Darjeeling, Kunal Agarwal was conducted in the hills.