Binay Tamang ends hunger strike on state govt assurance

Jalpaiguri : Gorkha Territorial Administration member and Gorkha Janamukti Morcha assistant secretary Binay Tamang today withdrew his hunger strike started from October 30 in demand of bail. GJM spokesperson Harka Bahadur Chhetri and GJM central committee vice president RP Waiba visited Tamang at the Jalpaiguri district hospital. Speaking to the press, Chhetri said he held talks with chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress general secretary Mukul Roy during his visit to Kolkata on November 5. He said the arrest of Tamang and 10 other GTA members are against the terms of the GTA deal. At the time of inception of the deal, it had been specified that members could be detained only on murder charges and that they would be granted bail on any other case. 

However, the GTA members were arrested on false charges, claimed Chhetri, adding he had discussed about Tamang’s health condition with Banerjee and Roy. Tamang had started the hunger strike at the Jalpaiguri Central jail while awaiting trial following which he fell ill and had to be admitted at the Jalpaiguri district hospital. His family members had also recently claimed Tamang is suffering from heart and kidney disorders. The GJM spokesperson said the state government has assured to review the matter and grant early release of the 10 GTA members. On being informed about this development, Tamang ended his hunger strike by taking a glass of juice offered by Chhetri and also agreed to accept medication.