Kolkata: Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) supporters Saturday decided to end their fast unto death after the West Bengal government gave them permission to hold political rallies and meetings in Siliguri town in Darjeeling district.

"West Bengal Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb and Home Secretary Asoke Mohan Chakrabarty told us Saturday afternoon that we can hold political programmes in Siliguri. Since our demand has been met we have decided to withdraw the fast at 5 p.m.," GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told reporters.

He added that GJM would hold a meeting at the Gandhi Maidan in Siliguri May 7.

The GJM supporters decided to go for a fast unto death from May 1 in Darjeeling protesting the state government's decision disallowing them from holding any political programmes in Siliguri.

The GJM, led by its president Bimal Gurung, has been spearheading a movement in the hills demanding a separate state and also opposing the sixth schedule status for Darjeeling.

The central government in 2005 announced the sixth schedule status to the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF)-led Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) that ensures greater autonomy to the governing body. But Gurung's group is demanding full statehood.

Source : IANS