West Bengal Government on Thursday condemned the bandh called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters in Darjeeling Hills. It has also promised that stern action would be taken in case of any illegal activities to disrupt the normal life.

GJM had last week called an indefinite strike, demanding formation of a separate State of Gorkhaland.

Addressing the media here at the State Secretariat, State Chief Secretary, Sanjoy Mitra said, “We condemn the bandh in the Hills. We want everyone to comply with the High Court ruling.”

Responding to a public interest litigation, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered that the State should take steps against the bandh supporters in the Hills and make arrangements to restore essential services there.

According to him, the State Government is “trying to ensure that people in the Hills are not inconvenienced.” “We will take stern action if need be,” Mitra said.

The Chief Secretary added that all the Government employees “have to attend office” and warned them of strict action if they fail to do so.

He also assured that the State Government would take all possible measures to protect the Government employees.

Mitra pointed out that ration shops in the Hills would remain open. Asked whether the State would ban the GJM-supported group Gorkha Land Personnel (GLP), Additional Chief Secretary, Basudeb Banerjee, said, “the question of banning it does not arise, as there is no such thing called GLP. It is a group of young people raised by a political party.”

Banerjee also warned of strict action in case of any illegal activities carried out by the group.

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