Morcha protesters in Kalimpong after they were discharged from hospital. They had been on fast for11 days. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Darjeeling, March 2: Bimal Gurung took thrice the normal time to reach Darjeeling from Bagdogra airport yesterday. Today, the hill leader appealed to his supporters to be prepared to tread a long path for Gorkhaland.

Thousands of people had lined up along the streets to welcome Gurung’s cavalcade which had started from the airport at 2pm yesterday. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader reached Darjeeling around 11pm and by the time he headed home it was 3am.

Since morning, hundreds of people had been flooding the party head office in Singamari to congratulate Gurung. In an interaction with The Telegraph, he appealed to the people to be ready for a long struggle.

“The path will be long but our goal is Gorkhaland. We must take this movement forward in a democratic and peaceful manner. We have to take into account the livelihood of our people. I appeal to our unit leaders to maintain peace and tranquillity in the hills. The tourist season has just started and people must not be deprived of their livelihood,” said Gurung.

The leader seemed aware that the people were getting used to “instant results”. For the past five months, since its formation, the Morcha has been riding high both in terms of popularity and its success in stalling the Sixth Schedule bill. “But we must be ready for a long struggle as elections (to the DGHC) for us are secondary,” he added.

Gurung reiterated today that Ghisingh would not be allowed to return to the hills.

MLA house gheraoed

In Kurseong, hundreds of Morcha supporters gheraoed the house of Santa Chhetri’s father-in-law at Gaurishankar Tea Estate, reports our correspondent. The Kurseong MLA is in Calcutta.

Morcha supporters, however, alleged that she had sneaked in last night.

The mob dispersed around 2.30pm after police convinced them that Chhetri was not there.