JOIN USThe Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) today offered to hold talks on condition that arrested leaders and supporters were released, even as the indefinite agitation in Darjeeling entered the fourth day.
GJM President Gurung said talks could be held but it would be possible only when his party leaders were released from prison.
Referring to the arrests of over 700 GJM leaders and supporters made in the hills since August three, he said "How can they go if they are in jail?" He, however, said "I will not go (to the talks). "They will go," he said referring to party leaders.
In a post on social networking website Facebook, Gurung alleged that para-military were using "excessive force" during raids with some people complaining that "many things were found missing."
Earlier, GJM town committee assistant general secretary Raju Pradhan told a rally at Chowkbazar that the party would not take part in the meeting to decide on a successor to Bimal Gurung, who had resigned on July 31 as CEO of the hill council, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
Pradhan said that the GJM wanted dissolution of the GTA. Meanwhile, normal life continued to remain paralysed with shops and markets, government offices, banks, post offices and schools and colleges closed due to the agitation.
There was no report of any fresh arrest. Altogether 724 leaders and supporters of GJM have been arrested since August three.
The GJM president had said yesterday that the 'Ghar Bhaira Janta Program' (people on the streets) was being intensified further and would continue till the GJM leaders and supporters were released.
Gurung had also said that the GJM leadership fully respected the observations of the Calcutta High Court and claimed that no diktat was issued to the people.
He said that the agitation should not be construed as a bandh, but was an expression of the free will of the people and that there would be no intimidation or coercion of any sort.
The High Court had on August 14 expressed displeasure over the GJM's violation of its order of August seven which had held the indefinite bandh in Darjeeling as illegal.