Do Not Cross 'Laxman Rekha': Mamata Warns Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Chief

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung to not cross the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ as protests intensify in the Hills against the state government’s decision to make Bangla compulsory in government schools.

While comparing Gurung with poet Kalidas, she said, “He is cutting the branch he was sitting on. We will not tolerate this and stern action will be taken against all who are responsible for the current situation in the Hills. So many tourists got stranded and they (GJM) indulged in dirty politics.”

The Gorkha Territorial Administration chief was quick to respond to Mamata’s assertions and also used the row to step up the demand for a separate Gorkhaland.

“TMC supporters hurled stones at the policemen and now she is blaming us for the law and order problem. We don’t trust the state government anymore. It is high time for me to quite GTA to intensify our movement foe separate Gorkhaland,” Gurung said.

“I am happy that Army is here and we are feeling safe from TMC. Bangladesh was created because of struggle based on language. So, where is the problem in our struggle. We want President’s rule in West Bengal, otherwise our agitation will continue,” he said.

A six-member team to conduct a special audit of GTA had reached Darjeeling on Friday. The secretary of GTA, Ravinder Singh, has also been removed and is being replaced by Barun Roy, the secretary of the north Bengal development department.

“For us the real issue is separate Gorkhaland but Bimal Gurung for the last one year did nothing for it. People supported him only because he raised the issue of Gorkhaland. But he was quiet all these months and suddenly he decided to make Bangla issue to pitch his separate Gorkhaland movement. He is losing popularity in the hills and this was evident with the results of recently held civic elections. Now it is high time for the GJM to understand BJP’s actual stand on separate state issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has stayed back in Darjeeling to ensure safety of stranded tourists.

Since morning there were no reports of any violence in Darjeeling. Army was deployed to restore law and order situation. The chief minister has announced to keep its offices in the hills open despite 12-hour bandh called by the GJM.