Gorubathan: The sixth day of ‘fast unto death’ went by as 22 members of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha lied down precariously, their health waning at every passing of the second. Their resolve however, was strong – "the six demands of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha must be accepted if the fast unto death was to be withdrawn." A team of highlevel State Government officials arrived to investigate on the health conditions of the strikers and pursued Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President to withdraw the fast. However, their attempt proved futile and they left with Bimal Gurung standing his ground. The fast had been started on the 29th of January by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and at present remains determined to maintain its resolve.
Among the officials who visited Gorubathan today were Jalpaiguri Division Commissioner J Sundershekhar, Darjeeling District Magistrate Surendra Gupta, Police Superintendent Rahul Srivastava, Kalimpong Sub Division Officer Aviyash Lepcha, Gorubathan Block Development Officer Gyalbo Bhutia among others. The Government officials meet with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung. The meeting lasting more than one and a half hour. Bimal Gurung later addressing the press said, "The question of withdrawing fast unto death does not arise until the acceptance of 6 of our demands by the West Bengal Government. We will talk with the Chief Minister no matter how many times it takes. But we will not withdraw the fast unto death until the acceptance of our demands."
Briefing the press on what transpired in the meeting with the visiting government officials, Gurung said, "They requested me to withdraw the fast unto death. But we have placed our demands and our resolve before them. They have told me that they will put my demands through to the Chief Minister. Once there is a positive response from the Chief Minister, we will think about it but at this moment the question of withdrawing the fast unto death does not arise."
Answering to a question involving Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s political aspirations in Dooars Terai, Gurung said, "Earlier, we wanted to organise political meetings at three places in Dooars and then return back to Darjeeling. But today we have told the Division Commissioner of Jalpaiguri District categorically that now they will have to give us permission to organise political meetings in eight different places in Dooars."
Letters sent by State Principal Secretary and the State Home Secretary were also submitted to Bimal Gurung by Jalpaiguri District Divisional Commisioner. However, the contents of the letters were not made public. Gurung reacting to a question involving the letters sent to him said, "The Government has not sent any proposals in writing. Instead all they have offered us are verbal assurances."
Addressing the issue of a Morcha delegation making its way to Ranchi in a bid to win over tribals there Gurung said, "The delegation went to Jharkhand on the invitation of Jharkhand Adivasi Vikash Parishad and not otherwise as some people have reported. Jharkhand Adivasi Vikash Parishad condemned the violence and atrocious acts committed by Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad. A detail discussion took place on the entire issue."
When inquired whether the Jhakhand Adivasi leaders will be joining Gorkha Janmukti Morcha ‘s campaign in Dooars Terai, Gurung said, "no such decisions has been taken."
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