12 days relaxation in bandh in Darjeeling hills from Friday: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's Binay Tamang

Since August 15, picketing has been withdrawn by the GJM from various parts of Darjeeling hills.

Pic courtesy: IANS (File image)

Darjeeling: The bandh in Darjeeling hills has been put off from Friday till next round of talks with the West Bengal government.

The indefinite shutdown in the hills had entered its 78th day today.

"The indefinite bandh will remain suspended for 12 days from tomorrow. Shops, markets, offices, schools, tea gardens will open and transport will be on the road from 6 am tomorrow," convenor Binay Tamang told reporters after the party's central committee meeting.

Tamang said the next round of dialogue with the state government on the situation in the hills is scheduled for September 12.

"If the outcome of the dialogue is not positive, we will convene a meeting on the same day and decide whether to resume the shutdown or chalk out a new course of action," he said.

Asked whether GJM supremo Bimal Gurung, who was not present in the meeting, had been apprised of the central committee's decision to suspend the bandh, Tamang said, "He will be informed."

However, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said the bandh will continue and there is no question of withdrawing it.

"Gurung has said the strike will continue and there is no question of withdrawing it," Giri claimed.

Earlier today, the GJM central committee meeting came at a time when sharp differences has emerged between Tamang and party chief Bimal Gurung.

A section of senior leaders want the differences between Tamang and Gurung to be sorted out soon.

"We feel that there has been some sort of misunderstanding and miscommunication between the two. We want this miscommunication to be sorted out soon, as we do not want others to take advantage out of it," a senior GJM leader had told PTI.

Meanwhile, since August 15, picketing was withdrawn by the GJM from various parts of the hills.

But fresh picketing was visible in Mirik, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Sonada and other areas from this morning.

(With Agency inputs)