SNS

Kalimpong,28th Sept


Apart for some minor incidents reported, the GJMM called 12-hour bandh passed peacefully in Kalimpong.

All commercial establishments remained shut on
the day of Haat (weekly village market day),defying the state government’s call to

boycott the strike.It is to be noted here that Darjeeling SP, Mr Amit P Jawalgi, GJMM supremo Mr Bimal Gurung along with state tourism minister Mr Gautam Deb were in Kalimpong today to monitor the bandh.

Despite Calcutta High Court’s ruling on Tuesday that the state government should ensure normalcy in context of the strike,normal life in Kalimpong was considerably affected.

Despite attempts of the state government machineries to foil the bandh, shopkeepers and transport operators kept their establishments closed.

Meanwhile, a good percentage of government employees attended office today. Although,schools remained open, students preferred to stay away.

“Police arrested Yuva Morcha supporters including Mr Binay Ghising, secretary of Kalimpong Yuwa Morcha, Biren Bhujel and Dr RB Bhujel who were campaigning for the bandh.

More than 110 party supporters of GJMM, Kalimpong,were arrested by police from yesterday night till this morning,”informed Mr Kumar Chamling the secretary of Kalimpong GJMM division.

GJMM women wing members also took to the streets voicing slogans for Gorkhaland. Two vehicles of TMC supporters were vandalized at Algarah and

Pedong and two on NH10. Meanwhile,state tourism minister Mr Gautam Deb

claimed that the GJMM’s 12- hour bandh observed today was against the will of the hill people.

Addressing the media, Mr Deb said that normal life was unhindered in the Kalimpong region. “96 to100 per cent attendance have been reported at

government offices as well as the tea gardens were open throughout. Again, government transportation was normal like other days,” the minister claimed. Replying to the GJMM supremo Mr Bimal Gurung claim that the strike is for the demand of 20 per cent bonus for tea garden laborers,

Mr Deb maintained that the Mr Gurung changes his stand continuously thus proving his incompetence in general. “The public stood against the dictatorial regime of Morcha by hitting the streets this day. Meanwhile, the TMC hill unit in all three subdivisions of Darjeeling hills will take out a thanksgiving rally on Thursday,” the minister said.