GJM announces 12-hour window on June 23 to evacuate school students

(PHOTO: IANS)


With the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-led indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling entering the seventh day, the outfit has given a call for 12-hour window on June 23 to evacuate students from schools.

Earlier in the day, the GJM complained about "a blackout of news" in the region as the telecast of several national and regional news channels is being regularly interrupted in Darjeeling and Kalimpong district.

"There have been several complaints that a number of national and local news channels that are transmitted by the local cable operators are not being aired regularly. This has led to a blackout of news in the region," GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri said in a press release.

The indefinite shutdown continues to paralyse normal life in the hill town and adjoining areas with shops and markets being closed.

The pro-Gorkhaland activists were seen putting up posters in the town, demanding separate Gorkhaland.

On Wednesday morning, rallies were taken out in Darjeeling and Kalimpong in the shadow of security personnel.

Darjeeling is on the boil for the past 10 days over a separate state demand. The town on 17 June witnessed widespread clashes between GJM activists and the police in which one person was killed and 35 security personnel were injured, including an IRB officer.

The GJM announced an indefinite shutdown from Monday against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's decision to make Bengali language compulsory in state-run schools.

(With inputs from agencies)