Gorkha Janmukti Morcha closes down offices of sub-divisional controller of Food & Supplies

DARJEELING: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) today closed down the offices of sub-divisional controller of food and supplies across the Darjeeling Hills for an indefinite period, signalling a strategy to force the state government transfer different departments to the GTA.

Around 10-15 Morcha workers in each group went to the food and supplies sub-divisional department's offices in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong and put up posters announcing their closure, police sources said.

The agitation was led by GJM's town committees and the youth front.

Till now, the Morcha had been insisting talks with the government for the complete transfer of 40 departments to the GTA.

Allan Chhetri, President of the Darjeeling town committee of the Morcha, said, "Food and supplies is a transferred department but the government is interfering in its functioning. The public has a perception that the GTA is not addressing their concerns whereas the fact is that the government is not allowing the GTA to function."

"We are closing the food and supplies department for an indefinite period. We will not budge unless the state government solves this issue," Chhetri said.