The Hindu : National : Bandh hits life in Darjeeling

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Bandh hits life in Darjeeling

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: A bandh called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) brought life to a near standstill in the Darjeeling hills on Wednesday.

It has been demanding the removal of Subhas Ghising as administrator of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and scrapping of the move to grant Sixth Schedule status to the region.

“The bandh will continue until our demands are met,” said Bimal Gurung, chief of the GJM, which has given the call for creation of a separate State comprising the Darjeeling hills and certain contiguous areas.

For the third day, Mr. Ghising, who is also the president of the Gorkha National Liberation Front, stayed back in Siliguri, on his return from New Delhi, amid tight security. “Any move to escort Mr. Ghising to Darjeeling will face public resistance,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said.

Meanwhile, the strike entered the fourth day. The protest would be extended to Siliguri from Thursday, Mr. Giri said.

The West Bengal Cabinet, which met here, expressed concern over the developments in the hills. The government appealed to the GJM to call off the bandh and come for talks.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ashok Bhattacharya, who represents Siliguri in the Assembly, said there was no question of Mr. Ghising continuing as DGHC administrator beyond March 24, when the extension granted to the council expires.

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