Movement for Gorkhaland will go on, at any cost: GJM chief

Darjeeling, June 14 (IANS) Amid the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM)-called indefinite shutdown in the north Bengal hills, party chief Bimal Gurung on Wednesday yet again virtually threw a challenge to the West Bengal government by declaring that the agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state will continue 'at any cost'.

"The Gorkhaland movement is a fight for the upliftment of our community. The other demands may be fulfilled later, but for us the freedom of the community comes first. Even if all the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) in the country are sent here, our movement will still go on," Gurung said.

Accusing the state police of acting like ruling Trinamool Congress cadres, he gave them a stern warning not to resort to "undemocratic means" to contain their movement.

"Our movement and rally was going on in a democratic manner. Police resorted to undemocratic measures to stop us. They (police) are acting like the TMC cadres," he alleged.

"The District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police are camping on the streets. But they should know that the people who are protecting them are also Gorkhas. They should remember that they would not be protected day and night in the coming days," Gurung warned.

Referring to the all-party meeting held on Tuesday, the leader claimed that all political outfits in the hills had decided to work together.

Accusing the state government of running "political dictatorship" in the hills, Gurung appealed to the tourists and people working there to reconsider the situation and take a call on staying there.

"I would request the tourists and the people who have come to work here to change their mind about coming and staying here. The state government is doing dictatorship politics here. How can the tourists stay here in this situation," Gurung said.

"Incidents like baton charge are happening here everyday. In this situation, how can there be work or tourism in this situation," he wondered.