STOP -WAR AGAINST NONSENSE!

    By Hendry, New Delhi

GNLF Kalimpong -”Renew Gorkhaland agitation with the blessings of C K Pradhan”

Kalimpong, Jan. 15: Addressing its youth cadre at a programme in Town Hall here today, Dawa Pakhrin, the GNLF’s Kalimpong unit president said the party would renew the Gorkhaland agitation with the blessings of Pradhan.

To show its new-found fondness for Pradhan, a garlanded portrait of the slain leader was also placed on the dais. Asked if resurrecting Pradhan would not antagonise the party high command, Pakhrin replied in the negative. “C.K. daju (elder brother) was a strong votary of Gorkhaland, and is held in high esteem by the party,” Pakhrin claimed.

After reining in the rebels in Kalimpong Municipality, a rattled GNLF today sought to re-claim the legacy of its late leader C.K. Pradhan by giving a renewed call for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Toy train chugs into World’s Top 25

Siliguri, Jan. 14: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) does not offer a moving palace, nor a five-star hotel on wheels, yet its 125-year-old narrow-gauge train has made it to the recently released list of the World’s Top 25 Trains.

The Society of International Railway Travelers, an organisation that celebrates 25 years in 2008, has made the announcement in a special edition of its official newsletter that provides up-to-date information on rail travel worldwide.

Palace on Wheels and the Deccan Odyssey are the two other Indian trains to feature on the list, which has Europe’s “very dignified grande dame” the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and some of the over-the-top luxury trains like the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express and Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa.

“The World’s Top 25 Trains is based on our own experience and that of our writers, editors, members and staff,” Society president Eleanor Hardy said in an electronic release issued on January 10 from Louisville, Kentucky, US. “The trains met stringent standards for service, accommodation, scenery, itinerary, off-train experiences and passenger enjoyment. Trains cannot pay to be included in this book: we choose them.”

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha lays siege to Hill Govt Offices

Exclusive Videos of Police Moving in on the Protestors

Darjeeling, Jan. 14: Most government offices across the hills remained shut for the entire day in keeping with a protest schedule announced by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha earlier.

In Kalimpong alone, 500 protesters courted arrest, including GNLF(C) president D.K. Pradhan. All of them were subsequently released. In Darjeeling, the number was 64. Binay Tamang, a central committee leader of the Morcha, was one of the arrested.

P.T. Sherpa, the SDO of Kalimpong, said barring officials of the magistrate rank, other employees stayed away from office.

“We have suspended all party programmes and are supporting the Morcha in our common struggle to achieve a separate state for the Gorkhas,” said Pradhan.

Bangla O Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee paralyses Siliguri protesting Gorkhaland issue

Siliguri, Jan. 14: The 24-hour Bangla bandh called by the Bangla O Bangla Bhasa Bachao committee today paralyzed Siliguri. Market places, business establishments, educational institutions and private offices remained closed some private vehicles were seen plying through silent roads. Bangla O Bangla Bhasa Bahcao (Bengal and Bengali Language Protection Committee) Picketers forcibly shut down government offices and banks in various parts of the town. Police have so far arrested six persons from the Hill Cart Road and Sevoke Road in the town, which include four women and two males.

The Bangla O Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee had called the 24-hour bandh opposing the proposed inclusion of the Darjeeling Hills in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and also to condemn the growing demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Amra Bangla and BBBC are strictly against the formation of the separate state of Gorkhaland.