DARJEELING HILLS: Shutdown halts Darjeeling, Gorkha team heads for Delhi

FROM SINDH TODAY

Siliguri (West Bengal), July 13 (IANS) A group spearheading the demand for a separate Gorkhaland headed Monday for New Delhi for talks with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jaswant Singh, who represents Darjeeling in the Lok Sabha, even as an indefinite strike called by the group shut down three hill sub-divisions.

“We’re going to New Delhi and will talk with Jaswant Singh over the Gorkhaland issue. We’ve been deprived of all kinds of facilities in West Bengal and we don’t want to be a part of this state. We don’t feel secure here,” Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) general secretary Roshan Giri told reporters before leaving for the national capital.

He said: “We’ll only get justice if we are given a separate state of Gorkhaland.”

Meanwhile normal life was also affected in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling as an indefinite shutdown, in support of a separate state of Gorkhaland, began at noon Monday.

Shops and offices remained closed, tourists vehicles stayed off the roads, and hundreds of tourists and students were seen moving down to the plains from Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong sub-divisions.

“The indefinite shutdown began at 12 noon Monday. We have spared tourists and students, who came to study in Darjeeling schools from outside, for today (Monday) only and asked them to leave by tomorrow (Tuesday),” GJM press and publicity secretary Benoy Tamang said.

State tourism department sources said that tourists had started moving down to plains from Sunday.

“As it was not peak season, very few tourists were there in Darjeeling. But this shutdown call will definitely impact the local economy of the district as tourists will not feel secure to visit if such situation continues,” state tourism department (north Bengal) deputy director Gopal Lama said.

The GJM has also demanded that Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K.L. Tamta be transferred out of the area, alleging that he was instigating people against the outfit.

According to sources, the district administration has alerted all police stations and other government establishments in the hills, and asked them to take precautions to prevent any untoward incident during the shutdown.

BREAKING NEWS: Centre to call for Tripartite talks for the creation of separate state

BREAKING NEWS

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE] EXCLUSIVE

BY BARUN ROY

DARJEELING: According to a Central Government communique to West Bengal State Government, the Central Government is ready to call a Tripartite meeting as early as 24th of August aimed at discussing the issue of the formation of separate state of Gorkhaland. A senior Home Ministry official has confirmed that the Central Government has asked the West Bengal Government to communicate this offer to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in Darjeeling.

A Gorkha Janmukti Morcha delegation led by Darjeeling Member of Parliament Jaswant Singh had meet the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on June 15, seeking Tripartite talks between the Central Government, State Government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha paving the way for the formation of separate state.

It remains unconfirmed at this moment, however, that the Tripartite talks initiated by the Central Government will indeed deal with the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland or that it will seek to involve Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the West Bengal Government in a direct one-to-one interaction meditated by the Central Government. Whatever, the case maybe, political analysts in Darjeeling Hills and beyond has welcomed this initiative, more so since it has been initiated by the Union Home Ministry itself.

DARJEELING HILLS: Bandh by GJM cripples life in Darjeeling hills

FROM ECONOMIC TIMES

Siliguri (WB): Life came to a standstill in all three sub-divisions of Darjeeling district today due to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s indefinite bandh called to press for a separate state and other demands.

Meanwhile, a GJM delegation has headed for Delhi to demand fresh rounds of tripartite talks.

The bandh, which was scheduled to begin from 12 noon today, was delayed by an hour to allow last-minute purchase of essentials by people across the hills.

GJM publicity secretary Benoy Tamang said movement of vehicular traffic was relaxed to enable stranded tourists and students to leave the hills. All shops and business establishments were closed and employees left their offices early, police said.

Tamang said the GJM would continue the bandh till its demands were met as the hill people had a sufficient stock of essentials. According to government officials, there are not many tourists in the hills at present as most of them have already left.

DARJEELING HILLS:Hills bandh starts today

FROM THE STATESMAN

KURSEONG, 12 JULY: The Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) is holding an indefinite bandh starting 12 noon on 13 July in Darjeeling Hills.

While talking to reporters in Darjeeling today, the GJMM chief, Mr Bimal Gurung, announced that other than the district magistrate, the superintendent of police and the SDOs, no other vehicles, including police vehicles, would be allowed into Darjeeling Hills during the bandh.

Mr Gurung also informed that the GLP, a volunteer force of the GJMM, would be deployed at several places in Darjeeling Hills, in order to maintain discipline and peace during the shutdown.

Meanwhile, a GJMM delegation would go to Delhi to discuss the Gorkhaland demand and other related issues, Mr Gurung informed.

Following the GJMM announcement of an indefinite bandh, on the 12 July there was an overwhelming rush seen in almost all the markets of Darjeeling Hills. People were seen in long queues collecting essential commodities and groceries.

In the meantime, protesting against the 10 July police lathicharge on party cadres at Panighatta near Siliguri, the GJMM organised a protest rally in Kurseong.

JALPAIGURI: Subba and aides end fasting agitation

FROM THE STATESMAN

JALPAIGURI, 12 JULY: Mr Chattrey Subba, the Gorkha Liberation Organisation supremo accused of Mr Subash Ghisingh’s assassination attempt in 2001, and Mr Subba’s five other inmates have withdrawn from their hunger strike program.

Mr Subba along with his other five inmates began a hunger strike at Jalpaiguri central jail on 2 July, demanding a speedy trial and their immediate release from jail. Mr Subba fell ill on 4 July and was admitted to North Bengal Medical College Hospital (NBMCH). The others were transfered to NBMCH two days later. After a prolonged hunger strike lasting 11 days, the activist ultimately withdrew from the program on 11 July. Mr Subba explained that he was withdrawing from the hunger strike because his supreme court lawyer had requested it. Mr Subba said: “When the Jalpaiguri district and session court suddenly transferred our case into an additional first track court just before the judgment, we asked our supreme court lawyer for guidance. On 11 July he informed us that he had already attracted the supreme court’s attention to this issue and asked us to withdraw from our hunger strike. Also, the MLA Darjeeling Mr Pranay Rai stood for us in the state assembly on 8 July and the state law minister assured him that the matter would be looked into seriously. Under such circumstances we decided to withdraw our hunger strike program.”

NEPAL: Attempt to split army – army chief

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal said that an attempt has been started to split the army to make it inclusive, on his farewell visit to the army barracks of western Nepal on Sunday.

CoAS insisted that the Nepal Army itself is inclusive, with a unit of Magar and Gurung as well as Madhesi community. Some of the elements have been raising an issue claiming that the Nepal Army is over populated, said Katawal. He claimed that if ethnic communities or other groups were mixed together, it would create fight, chaos and disorder in the country.

In the name of inclusiveness, attempts are being made to split and create unrest in the organisation, which would be unfortunate for the nation. The NA itself is inclusive. Some of them have raised the matter of democracy in the army, when it is actually a democratic institution. It is of Nepali people and any person who fights for honesty with discipline could become the CoAS.

Referring to the peace accord, he claimed that nobody’s combatants could be integrated into the NA. He said that a qualified candidate could be adjusted into any kind of security organ of the state. There are many other option such as shop operations, cleaning utensils, studying and migrating to Dubai and Malaysia for jobs according to the combatants’ desire.

ESSAY: Homage to Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

BY D.B. RAI (Anoop)

Bhanu Bhakta is the most renowned and famous poet of all poets in Nepali language. He (1814-1868) was born in 1814 in Chundi Ramgha in the district of Tanahu of Nepal and was educated at home by his grandfather, Shri Krishna Acharya. His father Dhananjaya Acharya was a government official who worked for General Amar Singh Thapa, Governor of Palpa in western Nepal.

That time, Brahmins were the teachers, scholars, and priests of the society by virtue of their caste. Their education was Sanskrit oriented since most religious texts of the Hindu religion were in that language.

Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, born to a Brahmin family received an excellent education with a strong leaning towards religion at home from his grandfather.

He led an unremarkable life until he met a grass cutter who wanted to give something to the society so that he would be remembered after death. With inspiration this grass cutter Bhanu Bhakta had started writing. How Bhanu Bhakta was inspired from the grass cutter will be evident from the following excerpt from his poem:

“Bharjanma Ghans tira man diyi

Dhana kamayo

Nam kehi rahos pachi bhani

Kuwa khanayo

Ghanshi daridra gharko

Tara budhi kasto

Ma Bhanu bhakta dhani bhaikana

Aja esto

DARJEELING HILLS: Hill parties condemn police measures during Panighata incident

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

DARJEELING, July 12: Condemnation has poured in from various political parties for the lathicharge by police at Panighata on Friday that left scores of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters injured.

Hill District Congress president and former MP Dawa Norbula has strongly condemned the actions of police on the GJM supporters at Panighata near Mirik under Kurseong subdivision.

Similarly, All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president Madan Tamang also condemned the incident. “All those named in the FIR should be arrested. The people have now seen the administration”, he said.

GJM frontal organization Janmukti Union of Labour Welfare Organization and Unemployed Primary Trained/Untrained Teachers Association has also strongly condemned the Panighata incident.

SIKKIM: Environmental, labour norms fried by Wai-Wai factory

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 12: At a time when the State Government is launching measures after measures for environment and ecology protection, a supposedly environmentally friendly industry is flaunting the established norms of pollution control.

The Chaudhary Group’s Wai-Wai factory operating from Rangpo commercial area near the Mining Ground has been accused of violating its term of operations and sideling the State Government’s guidelines to prevent pollution during its production process of fast food noodle item.

The local public told the media that they had filed several complaints to the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) informing that the factory was allegedly destroying plastic wastes by burning the wastes in open air. The burning of plastic wastes by the factory in open air is said to be done within the factory premises between 8 pm to 11 pm in the night.

The factory production management is alleged to have sidelined the State Government’s directives for proper disposal and recycling of hazardous plastic wastes by burning them up in open air which can lead to serious pollution and health hazards to the local people and factory workers.

The burning of hazardous plastic materials in open air has caused huge impact in environment of the locality causing various skin diseases and breathing problems which is also a health hazards are being faced by the local people.

SIKKIM: GJM strike alerts consumers in Gangtok

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 12: The Lall Bazaar was today flooded with people from all walks of life making their last minute purchases following rise in prices with indefinite strike called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha from tomorrow.

There was not much hike in vegetables brought from Siliguri while the local vegetables were sold at exceedingly high prices.

However, the dispute between the vegetable vendors and purchasers tell a different story. On the one hand, the vendors are worried about the materials being spoilt while they stock up. The buyers, on the other hand are jittery over the sudden rise in price on fruits and vegetables. (See price list in box).

“We don’t know how long the strike will continue, so we want to ensure that vegetables are well stocked as there are chances that the price may sky rocket,” said Nisha Sharma, a panic-stricken customer.

The wholesalers are confused whether to keep buffer stock. Speaking to SIKKIM EXPRESS, Shiv Shanker Prasad, wholesaler of Lall Market said there is no alternative way to bring vegetables from Siliguri. “We have been told by Siliguri wholesalers to load the vegetables and the supply should cross the Rangpo border before noon tomorrow,” he added.

Mr. Prasad further informed of meeting District Collector, East appealing him to provide SNT trucks to bring the stock escorted by the police.

SIKKIM: SPCC is virtually ‘B’ team of SDF: Harendra Pratap Staff Reporter

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 12: Downplaying his party’s abysmal performance in the recent Assembly elections in Sikkim, BJP Sikkim in-charge Harendra Pratap has sought to pin the major opposition party Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) for gifting comprehensive victory to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

Speaking to media yesterday here at Gangtok, the BJP organizational in-charge proceeded to paint an alleged connivance between the leaders of SPCC and SDF for the ruling front’s fourth consecutive victory in the State Assembly elections.

Mr. Pratap observed that the SPCC has been virtually converted into a ‘B’ team of the ruling party in Sikkim as the SPCC at no point appeared serious about fighting the elections here.

To further strengthen his rationale, Mr. Pratap presented the example of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee which used to be deliberately play second fiddle to the Left Front in West Bengal. The West Bengal Congress Committee used to be ‘B’ team of Left in Bengal in exchange of the support from the Left Front to the Congress in the Centre, he said. He pointed out the it was only due to the support of Left Front that the Congress could form the government under PV Narshima Rao and again in 2004 under Dr. Man Mohan Singh.

DARJEELING HILLS: DARJEELING INDEFINITE BANDH BEGINS Vehicle movement allowed only today, total bandh from July 14

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

DARJEELING: The indefinite bandh of Darjeeling Hills called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) will begin from tomorrow heralding another phase of Gorkhaland movement riding piggyback on the Panighata incident.

Though the indefinite bandh will start from noon tomorrow, the GJM has given a special exemption for the movement of vehicles in the Hills tomorrow.

However, the bandh will be total from July 14 including the blockade of all roads and national highways in the GJM dominated areas.

Sikkim’s lifeline, National Highway 31A will also come under the purview of the bandh from July 14 triggering another phase of isolation for this landlocked State.

During the period of indefinite bandh, all business establishments, educational institutions, tea gardens, cinchona plantations and other enterprises will be totally shut down while no other vehicle apart from the vehicle belonging to District Collector, Superintendent of Police and Block Development Officer will be allowed to ply in the hills.

At the same time, vehicles ferrying the press, marriage procession, dead, sick, gas and other essential services have been exempted from the bandh, said GJM president Bimal Gurung to media after addressing the GJM youth wing at Lebong today.

Announcing that indefinite Darjeeling bandh will begin from tomorrow noon Mr. Gurung said that vehicles will be allowed to ply normally tomorrow as vehicles from far flung areas need time to reach their stations. But from July 14, the entire Darjeeling hills will come to a standstill; he asserted adding that the bandh has been called in pursuance of the demand for separate State of Gorkhaland.

PHOTO FEATURE: GLP briefed on maintaining law and order in Darjeeling Hills

Contingents of Gorkhaland Personnel are gathered at Lebong Stadium to be briefed on maintaining law and order during the indefinite strike in Darjeeling Hills. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

SIKKIM: Woman tourist killed, nine injured in road accident

Gangtok, Jul 12: A woman tourist from Jharkhand was killed and nine others injured today when a vehicle carrying them plunged into a ditch near Jawahar Lal Nehru road, about 10 kms from here, police said.

The accident occurred as the driver lost control over the vehicle apparently due to a break failure, the sources said.

The vehicle, ferrying nine tourists among others, was on its way to the state capital.

A woman tourist, identified as Reena Kumari Sahu, died on way to the hospital, they said, adding the nine injured, including the driver, were taken to the STNM Hospital where condition of a couple, hailing from Kolkata, were stated to be critical. (Agencies)

DARJEELING HILLS: People brace up for Gorkha outfit’s indefinite Darjeeling shutdown

FROM IANS

With the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) calling for an indefinite shutdown in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district from Monday noon, people have rushed to stock supplies while a steady stream of tourists has started down to the plains.

The Gorkha organisation has called the shutdown in the Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong sub-divisions in support of its demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland in the northern part of West Bengal and transfer out of the area of Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K.L. Tamta.

Alleging that Tamta was instigating people against the GJM, the outfit earlier shot off a letter to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, setting Monday noon as the deadline for the police officer’s removal.

It also accused Tamta and Darjeeling Additional Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi of ordering an ‘unprovoked’ baton charge on its members at Panighatta, during a clash with activists of the rival Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).

‘But our first demand is Gorkhaland. We don’t want to remain in West Bengal,’ GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said in Darjeeling.

GJM assistant general secretary Benoy Tamang said the organisation’s supremo Bimal Gurung met the leaders of its youth front Yuva Morcha Sunday and gave the go-ahead for the shutdown.

However, the tourists and the students in Darjeeling schools will be given relaxation Monday to move out of the hills. ‘We won’t obstruct tourists and students Monday.’

Darjeeling is a famed tourist spot known internationally, while 5,000 students from India and abroad study in some of the famed schools located in the hills.

DARJEELING HILLS: GJM goes in strike mode again, Hills head for fresh trouble

FROM INDIAN EXPRESS

Even as the Darjeeling Hills head for yet another indefinite shutdown from Monday, called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha over the police action against its supporters, the GJM’s ally BJP indicated that the party would support the bandh call.

“The strike has been called by our partner. We have nothing to say on this,” BJP leader Dawa Sherpa, who was initially touted to get the LS ticket from Darjeeling, said.

Trouble broke out in Panighata near Kurseong town on July 8 when a group of GJM supporters attacked the residence of local GNLF leader Rajen Mukhia over some differences. Following a complaint lodged by Mukhia, police arrested three GJM supporters. On July 10, a large mob of GJM supporters went on rampage and set ablaze Mukhia’s residence. Unable to control the GJM men, police resorted to lathi-charge and hurled shells of tear gas.

Protesting the police action, the GJM leadership has called for an indefinite shutdown beginning on Monday and demanded the transfer of IGP (north Bengal) K L Tamta and action against Additional Superintendent of Police (headquarters) Akhilesh Chaturvedi and Kurseong SDPO Rajesh Singh. The GJM also demanded the arrest of Mukhia and 34 GNLF supporters.

Till late on Sunday evening, GJM leaders remained engaged in a meeting. Party general secretary Roshan Giri said there was no question of calling off the bandh. “ We want the removal of Tamta, Chaturvedi and Singh. We’ve set a deadline of Monday afternoon. If our demands are not met, the indefinite strike will begin for the separate Gorkhaland,” Giri said.

To appease the GJM, the Darjeeling police arrested Mukhia and two others on Saturday.

DARJEELING HILLS: Tourists leave hills ahead of Darjeeling strike

FROM THE PENINSULA – QATAR

Siliguri: With the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) calling for an indefinite shutdown in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district from today noon, people have rushed to stock supplies while a steady stream of tourists has started down to the plains. The Gorkha organisation has called the shutdown in the Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong sub-divisions in support of its demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland in the northern part of West Bengal and transfer out of the area of Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K L Tamta.

Alleging that Tamta was instigating people against the GJM, the outfit earlier shot off a letter to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, setting today noon as the deadline for the police officer’s removal.

It also accused Tamta and Darjeeling Additional Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi of ordering an “unprovoked” baton charge on its members at Panighatta, during a clash with activists of the rival Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF). “But our first demand is Gorkhaland. We don’t want to remain in West Bengal,” GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri said in Darjeeling. Darjeeling is a famed tourist spot known internationally, while 5,000 students from India and abroad study in the famed schools in the hills.

NEPAL: Nepal’s leaders unite on field

FROM THE HINDU

BY PRERANA MARASINI

Play a football match to help a volleyball player who needs kidney transplant

Stadium was filled with thousands of spectators

Prachanda came on the ground after 40 years

FOR A CAUSE: CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal (second from left) watches Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal passing the ball at a football match in Kathmandu on Sunday. Nepali Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel, wearing the 20-number jersey, looks at his soccer skills. Photo: Chandra Sekhar Karki/Republica

KATHMANDU: Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda,” CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Nepali Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel — three top leaders belonging to three major parties of the country who usually find it difficult to forge consensus on political issues — on Saturday found it easy to work together.

They wore the same outfits and “worked” for a common objective — to help volleyball player Dinesh Baniya who is in dire need of kidney transplant.

The leaders in “consensus” played as one team in the fund-raising match — Constituent Assembly members versus television artistes. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, who came in his official dress — Daura Suruwal — to the Dashrath Stadium, inaugurated the match, handing over the football to a referee.

Though the leaders’ team comprised other known figures, the stadium in Kathmandu was filled with thousands of spectators mainly to see whether Mr. Prachanda, Mr. Khanal and Mr. Paudel would strike a goal. Mr. Prachanda, captain of the team, had come on the ground after 40 years, wearing a nine-number jersey. However, the popular number could not turn lucky for the 55-year-old former rebel leader.

His team was defeated by the artistes; nevertheless, his teammate, Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa scored one goal.

NEPAL: Govt annual policies, programs okayed

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: The annual policies and programs of the government presented by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Thursday were endorsed by majority votes in the parliament on Sunday.

Altogether 251 Constituent Assembly (CA) members from Unified CPN (Maoist) and Yadav-faction of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) voted against the policies and programs while 305 parliamentarians voted for it.

Earlier replying to the questions raised by lawmakers in the parliament, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had urged all the lawmakers to unanimously endorse the government´s policies and programs.

Nepal committed to accommodating the CA members´ suggestions while presenting the budget and would take the main spirit of their suggestions into considerations while implementing the policies and programs.

He said the government would give due consideration to the concerns raised by Nepali Congress (NC). Nepali NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel suggested that the government include some popular programs that were introduced by NC government in the past.

Earlier, Maoist lawmakers walked out of the parliament saying that there is no meaning in discussing the policies and programs presented by an “unconstitutional” government.

Maoists walked after senior Maoist leader, Dr Baburam Bhattarai, concluded his about 45-minute-long address.

SIKKIM: Jeep falls into Sikkim gorge, woman dies

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Gangtok, July 12: A woman died and two persons were badly injured when a jeep carrying 11 people fell 200 feet below into a gorge at 10th Mile this evening.

The 20-year-old woman Reema Saha was travelling with her husband Tarakeswar Saha and another couple, Subhas Saha and his wife Manisha. All the four were from Jamtara in Jharkhand. The condition of Manisha was stated to be serious.

Police said among the others in the vehicle were four men from Allahabad and a couple — Kakoli Karmakar and her husband Koushik — from Kansaripara Road at Kalighat, Calcutta. The Karmakars have been admitted to the Central Referral Hospital, Tadong. The doctors said Kakoli’s condition was serious.

The 10 tourists and the driver, Bikash Ghimire, stopped at Chhangu on their way from Nathu-la to have lunch. The vehicle was driving down to Gangtok when it skidded off the road and fell into a gorge at 10th Mile, 30km from here.

Tarakeswar, who was at STNM Hospital, but was yet to be told about his spouse’ s dead, said they and the other couple from Jamtara had been married recently.

DARJEELING HILLS: Students to stay back – Schools cite logistic problems

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Rockvale Academy in Kalimpong has around 650 students who live in hostels. Of them, 250 stay on the campus and the rest in private accommodations. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

July 12: Schools in Darjeeling hills will not be able to meet the “request” made by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to clear their hostels of out-station students by tomorrow noon.

Around 5,000 students in the Darjeeling hills are from different parts of India and neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Thailand.

After a clash between its supporters and police at Panighata on Friday, the Morcha set the deadline for the schools and colleges to send home students from faraway places.

“It is difficult to get in touch with parents in Bhutan and Nepal and sending their wards home without escorts will not be preferable. We are happy that the Morcha is not forcing us to empty our hostels. Since we support the demand for Gorkhaland, we will definitely keep our schools closed,” said a teacher, who did not want to be named.

All the schools have their hostels on the same compound and the authorities of these institutes feel that if they can stock up on food items, the students will not face any problems.

Many school heads were of the opinion that if the students were asked to vacate the hostels and leave the hills, it would be difficult to convince the parents to bring them back.

“They would not like to send the children back here. Moreover, if there are positive developments in Delhi and the strike is withdrawn after a few days, the guardians will have to come again to the hills with their children. We want to spare the parents of any such unnecessary inconvenience,” said a school head.

DARJEELING HILLS: Bandh in hills: it is final

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

BY VIVEK CHHETRI

Darjeeling, July 12: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will start an indefinite strike in the three hill subdivisions from tomorrow but will allow vehicles to ply for the day before stopping all traffic from Tuesday morning.

Even police cars will not be spared, although the district magistrate, the district superintendent of police and the subdivisional officers will be allowed to used their cars.

The Morcha has termed the strike the start of a “real agitation for Gorkhaland” with party president Bimal Gurung saying that the movement is to support what Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh is expected to do in the budget session: raise the statehood issue in the Lower House. BJP Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Pratap Rudy had already raised the statehood issue in the Upper House on July 3. Besides, a Morcha team is being sent to Delhi to lobby parliamentarians on the separate state demand.

“Things are moving in Parliament and this strike has been called to support these initiatives. After all, our main demand is Gorkhaland,” said Gurung, after a review of the Gorkhaland Personnel (GLP) at the Lebong race course here this morning. He, however, did not speak on the four demands that he had placed before the state government on Friday.

The Morcha had set a Monday-noon deadline for the arrest of GNLF leader Rajen Mukhia and the removal of three officers including the inspector-general of police, north Bengal, K.L. Tamta.