CRPF jawans patrol Salbari on the outskirts of Siliguri. Police had asked some of the Morcha supporters on fast in the area to disperse since Section 144 had been imposed. (Kundan Yolmo)

Darjeeling, June 18: The Forum on Smaller States has decided to support the call for Gorkhaland in the hope that others who have lined similar demands across the country would get due attention.

R.K. Tomar, the president of the Forum, said over the phone from Delhi: “We have decided to visit Darjeeling soon to express our support to the Gorkhaland demand. The dates for our visit are being worked out. We are thinking of starting a joint movement for the creation of a separate state.”

The Forum, which was formed a couple of years ago, has been supported by those spearheading the Telengana, Bundelkhand and Harit Pradesh movements.

Sources maintain that the Forum is likely to work out a strategy to create a lobby at the Centre for the cause of smaller states.

“Four months ago, we had held a meeting of the forum which was attended by L.K. Advani (the leader of the Opposition). We had also made a representation to Sonia Gandhi (UPA chairperson),” said Tomar.

Political analysts believe that the euphoria which the recent demand for Gorkhaland has created has given a fresh leash of life to similar agitators, especially after the movement for Telengana, the strongest among the contemporary movements in recent times, showed signs of fizzling out.

Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, said: “We are very happy to have received support from the Forum.”

Section 144

Morcha supporters are on hunger strike at several places in Siliguri, Terai and the Dooars despite the imposition of Section 144 in some of these areas.

“They were in groups of four,” said Vishal Chhetri, president of the Siliguri sub-division committee of the Morcha. Section 144 prohibits the assembly of five and more persons.