Siliguri, Jan 20 (ANI): Hundreds of supporters and women activists of Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), staging a march for their cause, were prevented by the police from proceeding ahead at Gorubathan in the Dooars region near Siliguri.
"It is a peace march from Gorubathan till Malbazar. But, we have been stopped over here. It seems that there is a communication gap. We really don't know why we are stopped over here," said Urmila Rubba, President, Women cell, Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha.
The Jalpaiguri police stopped them from moving towards Malbazar. The District Magistrate of the region said that it was done to avoid any untoward incident.
"The restriction is in the interest of law and order. We apprehend that there may be a breach of peace, if a huge crowd goes into a tense situation. That is why this restrictive order is there," said Bandana Yadav, District Magistrate, Jalpaiguri.
Gorkhas, who are ethnic Nepalis, are demanding that a separate state of "Gorkhaland" should be carved out of West Bengal to protect their culture and heritage.
At least 1,200 people died in the first Gorkhaland campaign in the 1980s, but protests ended a few years later after Gorkha leaders accepted limited autonomy.
The Gorkha population in West Bengal is around one million out of 80 million people, although the overwhelming majority are concentrated in Darjeeling. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
