Kolkata : The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of its indefinite shutdown in the northern West Bengal hills, and that the situation would return to normalcy from 6 a.m. on Wednesday.
The announcement came hours after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to them to call off the over three month-long strike and invited them for talks to find an amicable solution to the issue, reports IANS.
GJM Assistant General Secretary Jyoti Rai said: “After Rajnath Singh’s appeal, we had a discussion with senior leaders, including GJM chief Bimal Gurung, and decided to withdraw the shutdown from 6 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).”
In an audio clip from an undisclosed location, Gurung urged hill residents to resume transport services, reopen shops and schools and colleges. He also extended greetings for the festive season.
The GJM had called the shutdown, which is in its 104th day on Tuesday, demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland.
