Temperature continues to fluctuate in Siliguri

The Statesman, Siliguri, Dec. 26 : Silguri’s proximity to the Himalayas accounts for the bitterness of its winter. But this time, the winter has arrived somewhat late and moreover, the temperature continuing to fluctuate. There is a perceivable difference between the temperature of the day and that of the night and this is not an unnatural phenomenon keeping in view the past records. But what is intriguing is that this time the cold during nights is far from being stable. However, in the Darjeeling hills winter descended in the first week of December with the mercury dropping to two degrees centigrade during the nocturnal hours. Nevertheless, according to the residents of the hills, this year the winter is not as much biting as it is expected to be at this period of time.
However, those who are dealing with the meteorological phenomenon say that there is no abnormality in the temperatures this time. Today the recorded lowest temperature in the Siliguri sub-division was 9.8 degrees centigrade.

Motar shells found near Siliguri

The Statesman, Siliguri, Dec. 26: The police at Bidhannagar, some 50 km off Siliguri, today recovered 12 mortar shells at a spot near a tea plantation in the area. The shells were stuffed in a rusted iron-box, at Paikpara. The villagers first spotted the abandoned iron-box at about 10 a.m. and intimated the police. A police team led by the Bagdogra circle inspector, Biswajit Das went to the spot and following initial inspection, the CID bomb disposal squad from Siliguri was summoned.

Security beef-up in Dilaram

Kurseong, Dec. 26 : Tension prevails in and around Dilaram following yesterday’s clash between the GNLF and GJM supporters. Taking no chances with the situation, the Darjeeling police administration has sent additional forces in Dilaram to keep the situation under control. Rapid action force was deployed at Dilaram today along with other forces. The police have also increased vigil in the area with senior police officials on patrol.
According to the Kurseong BDO, deputy magistrate Manish Verma, the situation is peaceful now. However, the administration is not slacking vigilance.

The administration is also contemplating imposition of section 144, if necessary. Despite the large police presence, the common people of Dilaram continue to feel insecure.

BRO unit to return

The Telegraph, Gangtok, Dec. 26: Project Swastik of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will be re-raised in Sikkim in January as the state gears up for an intense period of activity on the road construction front.

A large number of roads in Sikkim — including NH31A, the main road linking the state to the rest of the country — was built and maintained by Project Swastik until it was wound up in 2004. The men were deployed with Project Zaranj in war-torn Afghanistan.

Madan Tamang hints of rift in opposition

Darjeeling, Dec. 26: The rift between the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has widened even as Madan Tamang’s party demanded more territory for any self-rule arrangement that is being envisaged for the hills.

The rift between the two parties came to the fore during a public meeting of the ABGL at Chowk Bazaar today. The ABGL has been harping on collective leadership and with the Morcha showing little interest in it, there is enough indication that Tamang’s party will go it all alone in rejecting the Sixth Schedule status.