‘All arrangements being made to bring back tourists from Hills safely’

SNS, Siliguri, 31 July 2013: The north Bengal development minister, Mr Gautam Deb, today said the administration would provide security to the tourists coming down from the Darjeeling Hills in view of the GJMM having asked them to clear out of the Hills by today. 

The shutdown would resume from tomorrow and would continue for an indefinite period. “I have asked the administration to provide fool-proof security to the tourists while escorting them back from the Hills. 

I hope the administration will take appropriate steps. The tourists should not face any problem,” Mr Deb said in Siliguri today. Right now there are not many tourists in the Hills as this is a period known as lean tourism season. 

As per administrative estimates, there are around 300-400 of them, mainly domestic, in the Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim. However, private tour operators fear that if the agitation drags on, it would negatively impact the tourism industry. 

“Many tourists flock there in August, but if the agitation continues or intensifies, the tourism industry will be at the receiving end. However, we hope the situation will become normal soon," said a private tour operator, Mr Samrat Sanyal. Mr Deb said the state government would not allow the existing unity of plains and Hills to be breached by the current spell of tension. “We are for all-round development of the Hills. 

The North Bengal Development Department has been trying hard to herald development there. We are closely observing the developing situation," he said. 

The minister said the state government wants the GTA would complete its full term and usher in development in the long-neglected Hills. 

“The Centre is fuelling statehood tension. It is unfortunate,” Mr Deb added.