Darjeeling, Aug 15 (IANS): The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Thursday said its "democratic and peaceful" movement for statehood is being "forcefully crushed", and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "must hear our prayers and spare a thought".

"On this great day (Independence Day), the nation needs to remember that the Gorkhas' voice has not been heard. The Hon'ble PM must hear our prayer and spare a thought for us! Your support will encourage us to achieve our goal for statehood. Our plea has been overlooked! We have not been able to change the mind-set of our adversaries," GJM supremo Bimal Gurung said on a social networking site.

With the Mamata Banerjee government taking a firm stand and cracking down on the GJM's movement in the Darjeeling hills for a separate Gorkhaland, Gurung accused the government of forcefully crushing the movement.

"Our democratic and peaceful movement for statehood is being forcefully crushed. Can we take this as the reward for defending the country's borders and sacrificing our lives? What wrong have we committed to be treated like this and being asked to go to China or Nepal to ask for statehood," said Gurung.

The Calcutta High Court recently declared the GJM shutdown illegal and sought explanation as to why the Morcha should not be made to compensate for infringing the fundamental rights of the people by calling a shutdown.

The government too has been cracking down on the movement, arresting several Morcha leaders and over 200 supporters and activists.

"The state government's draconian measures to instil fear are further alienating the people. Instead of building bridges the government's hardened stance is making our resolve even stronger. Our justified fight will go on despite all obstacles. We will not lose faith in the Constitution and the nation to give us justice," added Gurung.

The GJM has given a four-day relaxation, beginning Thursday, to its indefinite shutdown. The continuous stir has paralysed life in the hills and led to shortage of food and other essentials.