Govt offices to run during bandh

SNS, Darjeeling/Kurseong, 28 July 2013: The administrators of Darjeeling town have decided to ensure normal work at the government offices during the three-day bandh in the hills called by the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha. 

“There is no leave for the government employees for the bandh and those failing to attend office will have to bear a deduction from their salaries,” said Dr Saumitra Mohan, Magistrate, Darjeeling District office. 

The move amidst the bandh call by the GJMM has raised many questions concerning the security to these employees, even though the superintendent of police, Mr Kunal Agarwal, has said that armed police personnel will be deployed in the town to check vandalism and arson against the local populace. 

However, many employees feel that the state government lacks concern for their lives. “What if we are threatened on our way to work by the GJMM supporters tomorrow? I cannot risk my life but I am bound to attend office,” said one of the employees on the condition of anonymity. 

There has been a clear threat by the GJMM frontal organisation leaders that no excuse shall be permitted other than that of the emergency services. 

Also they have said that every office and business house will be picketed to check if the bandh is being observed. 

According to Mr Agarwal’s announcement, maximum police personnel along with five platoons of Special Striking Force (SSF), seven platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and two platoons of Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) will be deployed to check vandalism, arson or any inconvenience encountered by the people during the bandh. 

Meanwhile, the Special Control Room has been established in the town to meet any situation, said Mr Agarwal providing the help-line number ~ 2254203. 

“I have already had a word with the general secretary of the GJMM, Mr Roshan Giri, about the bandh tomorrow. He has assured relaxation for emergency services and said that regularity will be permitted at the national highway,” Mr Agarwal said. 

The bandh has been termed as the move after an “adrenaline rush,” by the political leaders of the Hills at a time when senior leaders of the Congress have announced that the consultation process to carve Telangana is over and now is the time of taking a decision. 

Opposition parties in the Hills, meanwhile, have adopted a wait-and watch attitude. They have decided not to join the cause of the GJMM until the GTA is officially scrapped. 

“We are not opposed to GJMM coming forward for Gorkhaland. But calling strikes will not solve the problem. We can unite to take the separate state demand forward when the GTA is scrapped,” said Govind Chhetri, the CPRM spokesperson. 

On the other hand, the leader of the All India Gorkha League (AIGL), Mr Pratap Khati, said: “Madan Tamang died trying to persuade the leaders of the GJMM not to accept GTA. Now it has boomeranged on the GJMM leadership which has forced them to call the bandh.” 

On the other hand, the GJMM general secretary, Mr Roshan Giri, said that they have faxed a letter to the central ministers and central leaders today demanding the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.