Insta
Darjeeling Exodus Threatens To Derail Normal Life With Schools Shutting Down Amid GJM Strike
Swarajya Staff
Jun 21, 2017, 10:17 PM | Updated 10:17 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
With the indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills entering its ninth day today, residents and labourers were seen leaving the area. The indefinite strike was called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for a separate Gorkhaland state.
The GJM had announced an indefinite strike encompassing Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and the Dooars protesting against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's decision to make Bengali language compulsory in state-run schools. The strike was not called off even after Banerjee stated that the new rule would not be imposed in the hill districts. The protesters are also asking for a separate Gorkhaland, a long pending demand of the people of the hills.
Earlier in the day, Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung claimed that the West Bengal Police are illegally entering their supporters' houses and torturing them and also accused them of killing two of his supporters. He said that GJM would further strengthen their agitation.
Darjeeling is home to several renowned boarding schools such as St Pauls, St Josephs and Goethals. With schools shutting down, these residential schools are also sending back students to their homes. The GJM announced later that schools would be given additional time to evacuate.
All schools in #Darjeeling given relaxation for 12 hours on 23 June to evacuate students from the city: Binay Tamang, Asst Gen Secy, GJM
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2017
The academic calendars of schools is under threat of derailment with the protests intensifying. Schools had earlier shut down during the agitations in 2007 and 2013.
With inputs from ANI
Also Read:
After Setting Darjeeling Hills On Fire, Banerjee Now Clueless On How To Douse The Flames
Darjeeling Unrest Has National Ramifications, Mamata Banerjee Shouldn’t Be Allowed To Mishandle It
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.