WB: GJM calls 72-hour bandh in support of Gorkhaland

Darjeeling: Close on the heels of talks on Telangana statehood, demands are rising for the formation of another separate state - Gorkhaland bifurcating West Bengal. The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has called a 72-hour bandh across the Darjeeling hills. The bandh is being held in areas covered under the newly-formed Gorkha Territorial Administration.

The long-standing agitation for forming a separate state out of the Darjeeling hills has been on for the past two decades.

A tripartite agreement was signed between the GJM, and the state and the Centre for setting up Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), in July 18, 2011, an autonomous and elected hill council armed with more powers.