Kolkata Even as the threat of road blockade leading to Darjeeling by anti-Gorkhaland groups looms large, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha signalled that it had sufficient supplies for the people of the Hills by launching a food distribution drive on Sunday.

The GJM leaders said the ongoing indefinite bandh would be relaxed for 24 hours beginning Monday to enable people to attend “Shahid Diwas” in various parts of the Hills and Dooars. The GJM will be observing the Shahid Diwas to pay respect to around 1,200 people who lost their lives in the struggle for Gorkhaland.

The GJM general secretary, Roshan Giri, said the bandh would be re-imposed on Tuesday morning and ruled out the possibility of calling off the bandh.

According to Giri, around 7,000 families in Darjeeling alone had been given foodgrain. “Everyone who came to the distribution centres at the Darjeeling Gymkhana and Chingmari Church were given 15 kg rice and 2 kg pulses,” said Giri.

“At the Gymkhana, 6,000 people received essential supplies. We are closely monitoring to prevent blackmarketing. This responsibility has been entrusted to the Gorkhaland Personnel. They will check price hike,” he added.Similar food distribution centres had been set up in other places, including Takda and Soureni, but figures were yet to be released.

Asked about the source of the foodgrain being distributed, Giri said party president Bimal Gurung had ordered that enough supplies be stocked up before the bandh was declared.“During the ceremony, we will be felicitating the families of our party supporters Akbar Lama and Pramila Sharma, who lost their lives during clashes with anti-Gorkhaland protesters this year. We have already given monetary assistance of Rs 2 lakh to Lama’s family, and the same will be given to Sharma’s family tomorrow,” Giri said.

The GJM, meanwhile, has decided to halt the project work at the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in Kalijhora.The GJM leaders said they wanted to impose the seriousness of their demand through this move. The low dam project on the Teesta is expected to be completed in 2010.