Morcha supporters on a fast in front of Kalimpong police station on Friday to protest against the attack in the plains. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Darjeeling, Dec. 12: Hundreds of hill people today took part in a rally to protest against the attack on Gorkhaland supporters in the plains. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders claimed that the gathering has energised the party’s movement for a separate state.

The rally which started from the Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan ground snaked its way to the district magistrate’s office and later converged on Chowrastha.

“The presence of so many people has once again shown that we are determined to achieve Gorkhaland. We will not budge an inch from our statehood demand and your support has given us more energy,” said Puran Thami, the general secretary of the youth wing of the party.

The Morcha, in a bid to streamline the party affairs, has issued a new code of conduct for its leaders and supporters. “We have specified the functions of the local and village units, block, subdivisional and the central committees,” said Raju Pradhan, the assistant general secretary of the outfit.

Pradhan said grievances would have to come to the party leaders for redress through a proper channel. “People tend to directly come to the central committee to pour in their grievances. However, we have decided to give every layer 15 days to solve the problem failing which it can be sent to the next level.”

The Morcha leader, however, said there would be no restriction on people wanting to meet Bimal Gurung, the party chief, or other central committee members.

A group of 250-odd people mostly from Bengali, Bihari, Marwari and Tibetan communities will hold a dharna from December 15 to 17 in Delhi in support of Gorkhaland. “We will remain grateful to them,” said Gurung.