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Clash between GNLF & GJMM

The Statesman, Kurseong, Dec. 25 : Tension prevails at Dilaram located between Kurseong and Darjeeling alongside National Highway 55, following sporadic clashes between supporters of the GNLF and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.
Today, at around 11 a.m., GNLF supporters gathered in front of the Dilaram police out post, to protest against the alleged extortion from the minority community of Dilaram by GJM supporters. GJM supporters, in the meanwhile, converged on the other side of the police post to press for several demands. The melee turned into a clash soon in which, the GJM Chaitepani unit convener Nuru Sherpa was injured. He has been admitted in the Kurseong sub-divisional hospital for treatment.

Christmas cheer for all

The Telegraph, Kalimpong, Dec. 25: The sizable Christian population of Kalimpong town celebrated Christmas with traditional fervour and gaiety today.

The celebration began last night itself with people thronging the various churches dotting the town for midnight mass. The churches were again the focal point this morning as the faithfuls converged for the morning prayers.

After the service, children and adults alike enjoyed the goodies served at the peace feasts on the premises of the churches. People, dressed in new clothes, were also seen exchanging cards and gifts.

BJP eyes for Darjeeling Hills

Darjeeling, Dec. 25: The central leadership of the BJP has sent feelers to the ABGL to work together, one of the leaders of the hill party claimed today.

Madan Tamang, the president of the ABGL, who arrived here from Delhi today, said: “During my meeting with Rajnath Singh (BJP president), he categorically asked me if we were willing to work with his party.”

Borders to be sealed

The Telegraph, Siliguri, Dec. 25: In a bid to ensure peaceful elections to the first National Council (or the upper house) of Bhutan, the Indian government has decided to seal its borders with the Himalayan Kingdom as well as Nepal.

The elections to the upper house of the bicameral parliament will be held on December 31 as part of the switch from monarchy to democracy. The polls will start at 8am and conclude at 4pm.

Clash over torn party flags

Kurseong, Dec. 25: Tension gripped Dilaram, 11 km from here, after the women’s wing of the GNLF and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha pelted each other with stones this morning.

According to police, the Morcha supporters had come to the Dilaram outpost demanding the arrest of GNLF members who had allegedly torn their party flags on Sunday.

The Gorkha National Women’s Organisation, too, had come to the outpost at that time to lodge a complaint against the Morcha, whose members they claimed, were forcefully taking money from residents as donations.

Tea price surge fuels hope of turnaround

Siliguri, Dec. 25: Frantic end-of-season sales have taken tea prices to a new high in north Bengal, making this year the best since the industry went into recession about six years ago. “It’s boom time with tea prices going up significantly,” said S.K. Saria, the chairman of Siliguri Tea Auction Centre (Stac). “Although the benchmark set by the golden period of the 90s is still far away (see chart), this year’s is a remarkable gain compared to that of last year, which itself was better than the preceding year. The industry seems to have made a U-turn and if the trend carries on for the next few years, the tea sector will be able to regain its lost glory.”

The average price during Sale 50 held on December 20 was Rs 74.98 per kg, while that of Sale 49 held on December 13 was Rs 73.24, according to auction sources.