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Road blockades hold back Ghisingh in Siliguri

KOLKATA: Embattled Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) administrator Subhas Ghisingh was held back in Siliguri on his arrival from New Delhi on Monday. He did not proceed to Darjeeling as blockades were set up by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) supporters on roads leading to the hill town. “It is the people who have decided to prevent Mr. Ghisingh and will be obstructing any attempt for his return to Darjeeling until he is removed as DGHC administrator by the West Bengal government,” Roshan Giri, GJM general secretary, told The Hindu over telephone from Darjeeling.

The GJM has intensified its agitation for a separate State comprising Darjeeling and certain contiguous areas. A hunger strike by some of its activists in Darjeeling and the sub-divisional towns of Kurseong and Kalimpong entered the second day. Work in State government offices also remained affected.

Mr. Ghisingh, who is also the chief of the Gorkha National Liberation Front, said he was staying on in Siliguri for personal reasons. He expressed confidence that the amendment Bills for granting the Sixth Schedule status to the hill region would be passed by Parliament shortly. He said he had gone to New Delhi to press leaders for its passage and “the response was positive from all.”

Ashok Bhattacharya, Urban Affairs Minister, who is also the MLA from Siliguri, appealed to the protesters to call off their agitation, adding the doors for talks with the government were open.

Mr. Bhattacharya, who convened a review meeting here, said: “We hope that the Bills will be passed and the process will be started immediately to hold the council polls on March 24 [when the tenure of the extended council expires]. Once this happens, the question of Subhas Ghisingh staying on as DGHC administrator does not arise”, Mr. Bhattacharya said.

The last polls were held in March 1999.

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