Siliguri, Feb. 28: In the absence of the top brass, the Dooars leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha have raised a number of demands other than the two primary ones for which the party has currently launched its agitation.

Madhukar Thapa, the Morcha convener of the Dooars and a central committee leader, said although the focus is on Subash Ghisingh’s removal and cancellation of the Sixth Schedule bill, there are other demands, which will be taken up in the near future. “These issues are indicative of the deprivation faced by the Dooars population,” he said.

The list includes the reopening of closed tea gardens, introduction of question papers in Hindi for the Madhyamik examination and opening of new Hindi and Nepali medium schools in the region.

“Unemployment and backwardness are key subjects that should be addressed by the Morcha to win the confidence and support of the Dooars, like they have done in the hills,” Thapa said.

Bimal Dorjee, a central committee member, hinted that his party might even take up the pending case of Chhattrey Subba.

“He left the GNLF after Ghisingh accepted the DGHC (instead of Gorkhaland). He was accused of organising an attack on Ghisingh in 2001 and is behind bars since then. His trial is yet to be over,” said Dorjee.

Thirty-three Morcha supporters, who are on indefinite fast in Dagapur, on the outskirts of Siliguri, refused medical check up today, said Thapa.