SEVEN WONDERS OF INDIA : VOTE FOR VALLEY OF FLOWERS FROM UTTARAKHAND

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The Valley of Flowers is in Uttarakhand, in the upper reaches of Garhwal.

Several of the flower species found here are internationally endangered and also have many endangered medicinal plants here.

The park is home to tahr, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, common langur, bharal, serow, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Pica (Mouse hare) and a huge variety of butterflies.

Among the important birds and Pheasant are, Himalayan Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Snow Partridge, Himalayan Snow Cock,Himalayan Monal, Snow Pigeon, Sparrow Hawk etc.

The park is full of wild flowers in bloom from rhododendrons to primulas to orchids, the place is a riot of colouring the monsoon.

The valley is bounded by peaks from all sides and an area of 8,950 hectares here was declared a National park in September 1982.

SEVEN WONDERS OF INDIA : VOTE FOR DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY NOW!

DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY NOW LEADING AT NUMBER 2 NUMBER 3 AFTER AGRESSIVE VOTING BY BEACON ONLINE BLOGGERS, HURRAY! CARRY ON WITH THE VOTE!

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NOW AND THEN: Gorkha Women

PHOTO BY DIPAK SHRESTHA

Gorkha women during at rally at Darjeeling and Gorkha women during Civil Defence training on the eve of Bangladesh Liberation war. Both photo by Dipak Shrestha

KOLKATA: Buddha appeals for peace, gets Morcha’s ears

FROM MERI NEWS

BY SHYAMAL SARKAR

IN AN inexplicable scaling down of belligerence, seemingly for the time being, the Gorkha Janmukti Morch accepted the Chief Minister (CM) Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s offer for talks even as the spectre of severe ethnic strife loomed large over the plains of Darjeeling district in West Bengal. A Morcha delegation, which arrived in Kolkata, also acquiesced to the CM’s request that they do not insist on holding rallies in the Dooars where the situation is tense and volatile.

Briefing reporters, the state chief secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborty said on Wednesday evening that the CM had appealed to the seven-member Morcha delegation led by general secretary Roshan Giri to usher in peace in the plains of Darjeeling district and not insist on holding rallies where the tribals were opposing it. While the Morcha leaders were said to have agreed not to be insistent, they asked the CM to ensure that the “criminals” who had unleashed violence on them be arrested. The CM directed the state home secretary to look into the allegation and initiate action.

The Morcha delegation included Asha Gurung the wife of the Morcha president Bimal Gurung. It was learnt that the Morcha had agreed to go in for the talks without any preconditions. Earlier, Gurung had said that they would attend talks only if the state administration allowed the party to hold its scheduled meetings in Dooars and provided security to its members. The Adivasis in the Dooars have been preventing the Morcha from holding meetings protesting against the inclusion of Dooars, Siliguri and the Terai in the proposed demand for a separate state of Gorklhaland. This has resulted in frequent clashes in the plains with Morcha supporters assembling in large numbers insistent on holding rallies. So far the two warring groups have been kept separated by the police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in what is frequently resembling a battlefield.

KOLKATA: We’ll take to Gandhigiri – GJM leader

FROM TIMES OF INDIA

KOLKATA: Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Wednesday managed to extract a promise from the GJM team that met him that it will refrain

from holding rallies at Malbazar and Nagrakata areas for now.

Even as the GJM team was reluctant to relent so easily on the demand to be allowed to assemble for meetings in the Dooars, the leaders carefully avoided talking of violence. Instead, Giri said, “If our men are not allowed to hold meetings, we’ll take to the Gandhian style and launch hunger-strikes.” The GJM leaders, meanwhile, has given the state government a seven-day deadline, after which would take the above actions.

The government’s tough stand was clear: any act of violence in the plains would be countered with stringent police action. In the chief secretary’s words, “The CM said the government wouldn’t tolerate any criminal activity. If any crime is committed in the Dooars, police will take action.”

The GJM team had a three-point agenda: permission to hold meetings in Dooars, action against “CPM and RSP supporters” who had attacked their men and compensation for victims of atrocities and withdrawal of “false police cases” against GJM supporters.

Giri said, “The CM has given his word to have these men (belonging to RSP and CPM) arrested. He has also promised medical treatment for our men and compensation for the victims of torture.” The government version: “The CM has promised probe by the state home secretary into the alleged false police cases. After inquiries, the government would also contemplate compensation for the poor people who houses were torched.”

KOLKATA: GJM sticks to Gorkhaland demand, Buddhadeb calls for peace

FROM SAMAY LIVE

Kolkata, Jan 21 : Talks on the Gorkhaland issue today failed to make any headway with Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) sticking to its separate statehood demand and the West Bengal appealing to it to help restore peace in the troubled Darjeeling hills and adjoining plains.

After a meeting between Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and a seven-member GJM delegation, Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborty said the GJM leadership was urged not to add to tension and to refrain from taking out processions and holding demonstrations in the Dooars and Terai region in Jalpaiguri district and in Siliguri, which it was claiming for inclusion in Gorkhaland and had led to the clashes.

Chakraborty said this would unnecessarily vitiate the atmosphere for the tripartite talks which were on.

The GJM delegation assured that they would refrain from organising any procession at Nagrakata and Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district, the scene of recent clashes between pro and anti-Gorkhaland supporters, for the time being.

The chief minister, Chakraborty said, assured that the government would bear the treatment cost of those injured in the recent violence in Dooars and pay compensation to poor people whose houses had been burned down in the violence.

JOB OPENINGS: ALL INDIA PRE VETERINARY TEST AIPVT TEST 2009

AIPVT 2009 – All India Pre Veterinary Test

Introduction:

Veterinary Council of India invites applications for entrance examinationfor filling up 15% of total number of seats to be filled on Merit in each Government Veterinary College in India (except from Jammu & Kashmir State) from Indian Nationals for admission to 1st year of B.V.Sc. & A.H. course for academic session 2009-2010.

Minimum Qualification:

The Higher Secondary Examination or the Indian School CertificateExamination equivalent to 10+2 Higher/Senior Secondary Examination after a period of 12 years of study the last two years of study with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and any other elective subject with English at a level not less than the core course for English as prescribed by the National Council for Education Research and Training after the introduction of the 10+2+3 (years) educational structure as recommended by the National Committee on Education.

OR

The Intermediate Science examination in science from a recognized University/Board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (which shall include a practical test in these subjects) and English.

Age:

He/She has attained or will attain the age of Seventeen (17) years as on 31st December, 2009. Candidates attaining seventeen years on 1st of January, 2010 or later will not be eligible to appear at the Entrance examination.

How to apply:

The Information Bulletin and Application Form can be obtained by post on payment of Rs 850/- for General Category/OBC and Rs.450/- for SC/ST category (including examination fee, processing and other charges) through a Demand Draft drawn in favour of “Veterinary Council of India- Examination Fund” payable at New Delhi on any Scheduled Bank from the office of Controller of Examination, Veterinary Council of India, ‘A’ Wing, 2nd Floor, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066. While requesting Information Bulletin and Application Form, the candidates should send: -

(i) Demand Draft (Cash/ Money order/Indian Postal Order/Cheque or any other form of payment will NOT be accepted. Demand Draft issued prior to the date of advertisement will not be accepted).

(ii) Two plain paper slips with name and complete address (in CAPITAL LETTERS) with PIN-code.

DOOARS TERAI: GJM firm on demands

FROM THE STATESMAN

KOLKATA, Jan 21: Mr Roshan Giri, senior Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha leader, today ruled out any possibility of withdrawing the agitation to attain Gorkhaland ~ comprising Terai, Dooars and Siliguri. Moreover, he underscored the demand for inclusion of Siliguri in the proposed state says Gorkhas have been outnumbered by Bangaldeshi infiltrators in this north Bengal town.

A seven member delegation had met chief minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today after the Hills were singed with violence between GJM supporters and the activists of the Adivasi Bikas Mancha over the past few days. While Mr Giri said that he has demanded that those CPI-M and RSP activists who attacked the GJM supporters be arrested within a week, chief secretary, Mr A M Chakraborty said that the chief minister has assured the delegation that the home secretary would probe the cases which are alleged to be falsely started against GJM activists.

The chief secretary made it clear that the government will act firmly against any criminal activity in the Hills. Mr Giri said that he could communicate whether the agitation would be on hold only after informing Mr Bimal Gurung, GJM president about today’s talks.

“Mr Giri said that the chief minister had asked the GJM to suspended its plans of holding meetings in the area for sometime. He has asked us to wait till the tension boils down,” the GJM spokesman said.

SPORTS: Coventry call for Chhetri

FROM THE HINDUSTAN TIMES

NEWS SHARED AARDEE

Sunil Chhetri could be the second Indian after Bhaichung Bhutia and the first in seven years to play in England. The India striker is going to Coventry City later in the week apparently for a look and feel of the club.

Chhetri hasn’t officially sought leave from East Bengal who resume in the I-League on Saturday against Chirag United and hence neither the player nor the club had any official reaction. Ditto coach Subhas Bhowmick. But sources at the club said Chhetri, on contract with East Bengal till the end of season with a clause that he can go abroad if the opportunity arises, is due to leave after Saturday’s game.

East Bengal next play Mumbai FC away on January 31 and the coach is reportedly okay with missing his striker that game.

A teammate who didn’t want to be named said Chhetri isn’t going on trials but to “see the club and maybe even see a game.” The player said Chhetri has an agent of Indian origin in England and that City have already seen video footage of the striker who had a good game against Bayern Munich II at home on Monday.

SIKKIM: Bird flu under control, claims Department

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

Birds being culled in Sikkim. Photo by Sikkim Reporter

Gangtok: The animal husbandry department on Wednesday claimed that outbreak of bird flu has been controlled within short time and there is no worry of spreading it in further areas from Ravangla.

“We have contained the bird flu in the State in time by prompt action of the departmental officials. Now, people need not panic as we have taken necessary action to contain it”, said Dr. K.C.Bhutia, Joint Director (Research) of the department. He added, surveillance is still on and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed within10 km. radius from affected area. The serum samples of the birds are sent to High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal, for further investigation. Till yesterday, total 1149 birds have been culled at Hospital Road, Golaitar and 14th Mile areas of Ravangla. 70 culling staff in 9 teams have been engaged by the department.

SIKKIM: Pakyong Airport Affected Citizen Welfare Association formed

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, January 20: An association has been formed at Pakyong protect the interests of airport project affected local residents.

The body, Pakyong Airport Affected Citizen Welfare Association (PAACWA), was formed on January 18 during a meeting of the local residents at Karmel Ground, informs a press release.

The body resolved to work for interests of the locals affected by the airport project and has demanded that micro and medium level contract works should be given to the affected locals.

PAACWA has also demanded provisional license to supply and distribute food items during the airport construction works besides transport vehicles.

Affected locals should be given jobs, permanent or causal if required, after the airport construction works is completed, the body demanded. The affected locals should also be authorized to run canteens, hotels and transport vehicles in the airport, the body said.

SIKKIM: Airport work begins

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

PAKYONG, January 20: Punj Llyod Construction Company has begun mobilisation work for the construction of Greenfield Airport here.

Officers and staff of the constructing company is at present busy looking for buildings and land for lease to set up camps, offices and workshop.

Many house owners and landlords could be seen interested in leasing out their houses and land to the company.

“I am ready to lease my land at Dikling area for setting up the camps but not for the workshop of vehicles as the land will be unfertile for agriculture use late,” some landlords told this correspondent.

Company staff said they are finding difficult to get required land and building. “We are still looking for land and houses outside the airport land. We need adequate place to set up camps and also to keep heavy machines like stone grinding, trucks and storage,” he added.

PHOTO FEATURE: Why Can’t We Just Get Along?

THIS DAY LAST YEAR: DGHC ACCORD BURNT IN PROTEST!

Darjeeling, Jan. 22,2008: Supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha burnt copies of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Accord of1988 at exactly 11:19 am all over the hills even as Bimal Gurung, the party president, warned against granting another extension to Subash Ghisingh as the DGHC administrator.

Hundreds of people joined Gurung at Chowrastha in Darjeeling at precisely 11.19am. The Morcha chief warned the Bengal government against unrest in the hills, if the state continued to favour Ghisingh.

“During the Gorkhaland agitation, hundreds of people sacrificed their lives. But Ghisingh betrayed them when he signed the accord,” said Gurung.

SIKKIM: CM on a rural feedback mission from today

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

Dr. Pawan Chamling, the Chief Minister of Sikkim

GANGTOK, January 20: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is set to embark on a recce at the grassroots levels of three Districts starting from tomorrow where people can express their problems freely, informs reliable sources.

In this mission to get a personal feel of the people’s grievances and expectations, the Chief Minister will visit different areas of the State.

The tour will begin from tomorrow at Rhenock-Aritar then chart to other areas in East district and push towards South district before concluding in West Sikkim in one week.

During this mission, Mr. Chamling is keen to know about the happiness quotient of the people at the grassroots level over the programmes of the 15 years old Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government, informs sources. It also understood that his questionnaire list for the people also includes whether the local MLAs and Panchayats have properly distributed the government benefits or not, what type of election candidates the people want and the grievances, if any, against the local elected representatives.

It is learnt that no concerned MLAs will be accompanying the Chief Minister during his visit to the designated areas to enable the local villagers to express their views openly.

DOOARS TERAI: LF slams adm for slack handling of Dooars crisis

FROM THE STATESMAN

JALPAIGURI, Jan. 21: The Jalpaiguri district administration has drawn flak from the district Left Front leadership because of the recent Dooars hostilities involving the GJMM, the Adivasi Bikash Parishad and the locals.

According to the RSP district secretary, Mr Sunil Banik, the agitation could have easily turned into a communal riot. “The district administration handled the situation efficiently. The administration, it seems, neither has the ability nor the infrastructure to handle such situations and was evident during the hostilities in the stretch of the Dooars between Malbazaar and Banarhat,” he said.

According to the leader, the district administration cannot escape responsibility. “The situation would not have deteriorated, as it did, had the administration taken early measures to restrict the GJMM. They did so in the end but by then it was too late,” he said.

The CPI district secretary, Mr Pabitra Bhattacharya, said that the administration should upgrade the strength of police stations instead of depending on outstation forces whenever a crisis breaks out. “We saw it during the Kalchini clashes between GJMM supporters and locals a month ago and it happened again in the Dooars now. Moreover, the Intelligence agencies need to be made more active and accountable to preempt such incidents,” Mr Bhattacharya said.

SIKKIM: Cooperative society awarded

FROM THE STATESMAN

GANGTOK, Jan. 21: The Nayuma Women’s Cooperative Society was awarded first prize in the National Co-operative Fair 2009, held in Jaipur Rajasthan. The cooperative members, led by their manager, Mr HP Adhikari, returned to Gangtok jubilant after participating in the Fair held from 2 January to 18 January.

They were awarded for the best decoration and best handicrafts and handloom items of Sikkim. Ms Kamala an active shareholder of the Society said: “We are very happy and encouraged to produce even better products and win international awards the next time.” The Nayuma Women’s Cooperative Society has three outlets in Gangtok to showcase its products. They have trained young unemployed women from rural areas of all the four districts of the state of Sikkim.

DARJEELING DISTRICT: Opposition demands voters’ list scrutiny

FROM THE STATESMAN

SILIGURI, Jan. 21: The Opposition Congress, Trinamul Congress and BJP leadership said today that the just published voters’ list for the three Assembly constituencies under the Siliguri sub-division was “fraught with irregularities” and the parties would thoroughly scrutinize the list “to expose the CPI-M supported fraud.”

The “final” voters’ list for the Matigara-Naxalbari (SC), Phansidewa (ST) and Siliguri Assembly constituencies was published yesterday.

Expressing surprise with the increase in the number of voters in all the three constituencies compared to the last list published in September last year, the Darjeeling district Congress president, Mr Shankar Malakar, said that prima facie it seemed that the new entries were all bogus voters whose names had been incorporated in the list by a well-calculated design of the CPI-M. “We would thoroughly scrutinize the list before commenting on it in details. Yet the increase in the number of voters indicates that there is something wrong,” he said.

Speaking on the matter, the district TMC president, Mr Goutam Deb, said that his party too would scrutinize the list. “It seems from a cursory glance that there are much irregularities in the list. We suspect that many genuine voters have been deliberately kept out while some bogus voters have found places. This is not surprising, as the members of the CPI-M affiliated coordination committee have made the list keeping in view the electoral interests of the party they serve,” he said.

DOOARS TERAI: Adivasis demand meeting with CM

FROM THE STATESMAN

JALPAIGURI, Jan. 21: The GJM has had its date with the chief minister and now the Adivasi Bikash Parishad is preparing a 13-point charter of demands to be submitted to Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

According to the president of the Terai-Dooars Committee of the Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Bikash Parishad, Mr John Barla, a delegation would soon meet the CM and submit the charter of demands concerning development of the tribes and the Dooars in general.

“Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Bikash Parishad state president Mr Birsha Tirkey would visit Nagrakata in the Dooars on 26 January to assess the loss caused to the Adivasi supporters in the clash with GJM supporters and then draft a list for the chief minister. We have initially listed 13 demands, which could be revised following the state president’s visit,” said Mr Barla.Commenting on the meeting the CM and the GJM leadership, the Adivasi organisation’s Terai-Dooars secretary, Mr Rajesh Lakra, said: “It does not matter whether the CM invites us or not for a meeting as we have already sent him a letter stating that the Dooars is a scheduled territory and we would not allow the GJM to involve the region in its stir for Gorkhaland. Our massage is quite clear and we would stick to our point,” he said.

DOOARS TERAI: GJM aims to recruit 10,000 people

FROM THE STATESMAN

JALPAIGURI, Jan. 21: The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha publicity in-charge, Mr Binay Tamang, today said that his organisation started recruiting Gorkhland Personnel in Garubathan today. “We aim to recruit 10,000 GLP from the area,” he said.

According to Mr Tamang, the recruitment process would roll to next week. “Of the targeted figure, around 7,000 would be from the tribal community and 3,000 from among the Gorkhas. We would provide them a salary of Rs 2,000 at least per month,” he added.

The GJM has already deployed GLP in the Darjeeling hills in maintaining traffic and other allied work. Mr Tamang also said that today’s meeting between the chief minister and GJM leaders in Kolkata would determine the party’s future course of action in the Dooars. “We want to build a separate outfit in the Dooars and the process started today. The majority of the tribal population is with us,” he claimed.

Commenting on the issue, the Terai-Dooars Committee secretary of the Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Bikash Parishad, Mr Rajesh Lakra, said the Morcha leaders were trying to exploit the unemployed tribal youths of the Dooars. “A large area of the Dooars remains undeveloped and we have already drawn the state government’s attention on this issue. The GJM is trying to use the issue misguiding several unemployed tribal boys. We would urge the state government to initiate steps to stop the process and provide our boys proper employment scope,” he said.

SIKKIM: Culling starts in Sikkim

FROM THE STATESMAN

GANGTOK, Jan. 21: Animal husbandry and veterinary services employees culled 10,160 chickens at the Bird Flu affected area of Rabangla till this evening while more are in the process of being culled. The collector of South district (Namchi), Mr D Anandan, said: “Nine rapid response teams have been formed to take care and action against Bird Flu in Rabangla. A ban on the sale of poultry was imposed in South Sikkim on 15 January even before the confirmation of Avian Flu from the high security animal disease laboratory, Bhopal. The movement of vehicles from the infected zone has been restricted. Areas within a 3 km radius of the Bird Flu epicentre have been declared an affected zone.”

The disease seems to have affected poultry in three areas so far ~ at Rabangla, Golitar and Fourteenth Mile in South Sikkim. The culling personnel have been quarantined in a particular hotel far from the market area. Medical checks are being held for the culling personnel and only those found physically fit are allowed culling duty while those not in good health are not being pushed into such duty.

According to the officials, the culled birds are being properly buried. No incident of infection in birds other than chicken or human beings have occurred so far. Domesticated birds like pigeons, swans and ducks etc. in the affected zone would be culled and team from New Delhi has arrived to assist and supervise the exercise. The team is stationed at Rabangla and would remain there till the culling continues. The Central team has also brought equipment and Tami Flu tablets.

SILIGURI: Bayern nets six against Mayor – German team scores three in each half of siliguri match

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

The match between Bayern Munich II and Siliguri Mayor’s XI in progress at Kanchenjungha Stadium on Wednesday. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

Siliguri, Jan. 21: Bayern Munich II today defeated Siliguri Mayor’s XI by 6-0 goals at Kanchenjungha Stadium here without shedding much sweat in a chilly afternoon.

The German club outwitted the local team in every department of the game – skills, power and stamina – and scored three goals in each half of the one-sided match.

Badstuber Holger, Thomas Mueller and Stephan Fuerstner scored in the 11th, 16th and 28th minute in the first half. After the lemon break, Yilmaz Deniz netted a brace in the 67th and 86th while Stephan found the target second time in the 72nd minute.

The only consolation for the home team was perhaps when Gerland Hermann, the chief coach of German team, and Haegele Martin, the international director of the outfit, appreciated the organisers for an “excellent arrangement”.

“This is the best ground we have seen in our tour over the past one week,” Hermann said at the post-match media conference.

The Bayern officials also selected six Under-15 players from local coaching centres, whom they would take to Germany for advance coaching. “The entire cost of the training and accommodation will be borne by us,” said Martin. The six footballers are Nishant Toppo, Sanjib Kerketta, Dipu Burman, Abinash Chhetri, Amit Thakuri and Litan Shil.

Several organisations including the Siliguri Mahakuma Krira Parishad, Siliguri Municipal Corporation and the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority felicitated the former World Cupper Gerd Mueller before the 25,000-strong crowd at the stadium. The foreign team also visited Kriradipti, a sports museum, and donated a jersey autographed by all players and officials.

NORTH EAST: Manipur clash

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Imphal, Jan. 21: After two days of denial, the Assam Rifles today admitted a stand-off between its troops and cadres of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) in Manipur’s Ukhrul district for the past three days.

A resident of Ukhrul said the only thing that’s preventing a shootout is the women of Siroy village, where the troops are positioned, who have placed themselves between the jawans and the militants. “It is the women’s intervention which has staved off a clash,” the resident said.

On January 18, the 17 Assam Rifles came across a camp-like construction in the village, nearly 15km east of the district headquarters, and found several NSCN (I-M) cadres holed up there. Since there cannot be any designated camp for the Naga militants in Manipur, the jawans, accusing the armed rebels of violating ceasefire ground rules, asked them to “surrender”.

When the rebels did not comply, the troops surrounded the camp and brought in reinforcements.

SILIGURI: Mom & boy die

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Siliguri, Jan. 21: The bodies of a 30-year-old woman and her minor son were found hanging in a house at Sukantanagar here this morning.

Police suspect that the mother had killed the five-year-old boy before committing suicide. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

The deceased, Jyoti Sharma, and her son Shiva, had taken a room of Swapan Basak’s house at Sukantanagar in Ward 38 for a monthly rent of Rs 500.

Swapan, a vendor, had no clues about the woman’s husband. “The family has been staying in my house for the past two-and-a-half-months. The person, whom we know as her husband, was here for a month and went to Haryana in December. He had never returned. But Jyoti used to receive phone calls in my mobile once or twice a week. But I did not store the number.”

The house owner said he had never wanted to know the caller’s name and address. “It was a mistake.”

Around 10am, Swapan’s wife Meera first noticed that the doors of their tenants were locked from inside and felt something was wrong. “I called my neighbours. Some of them tried to see through the window, but could not. They then broke open the door and found the bodies hanging,” Meera said.

TEESTA: Two sink, one body found

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Tribeni, Jan. 21: One person drowned and another went missing at Tribeni, the confluence of the Teesta and the Rangit, today.

While the body of Anil alias James Mote, 22, was fished out, searches are on to find Pemba Tamang, 24. The youths were out on a picnic with four others.

The six had left their homes at Navingram and Singmari in Darjeeling at 6am and arrived here, 18km from Kalimpong, three hours later.

Around 10.30am, while Anil and Pemba went for a swim on the Teesta, others started cooking food in a corner of the riverbank.

“As we were far away, we could not see Anil and Pemba. It was only after some women standing nearby started screaming that our friends were sinking, we ran to the spot. But by then, they had been in deep waters,” said Deep Thakuri, one of the picnickers.

Samuel Nair, in whose Maruti Omni the revellers had come for the picnic, immediately dived into the river and pulled out Anil. But he did not find Pemba.