Nature forces GJMM to defer agitation- Trees uprooted, electric poles flattened, three in hospital

SNS, Darjeeling, 20 August 2013: Thunderstorm accompanied by torrential rains lashed Darjeeling last night, uprooting trees, flattening electrical poles and grounding houses. Nature’s fury came while the Hills remained shuttered because of the stir for Gorkhaland. 

GJMM and its allies spearheading the statehood movement deferred their stir named ‘people on the roads’ for two days in the aftermath of the havoc wrought by the thunder-storm and shower. 

Administrative officials claimed that they are not rising up to the gravity of the situation adequately because of the Hills remaining shutdown because of the movement. The administration today said that there is no fatality. 

However, it is learnt that at least three persons had been admitted to the district hospital. They were injured after a tree fell and broke through their roof last night. “Luckily, we have survived,” said one of the injured. 

“Due to the thunderstorm, we are cancelling today’s and tomorrow’s programme of ‘janta sadak ma’ (public on the streets) stir. However, the bandh will continue,” said the GJMM general secretary, Mr Roshan Giri. 

The locals swung into action, removing debris and branches of trees. The Darjeeling district administration office was deserted, with a few officials found working. The same was the picture at the relief department office. 

The room was found dark and desolate. The officials, however, claimed they had restored emergency services and assured that relief would be arranged at the earliest. 

“Our main challenge is to normalise electricity in Darjeeling,” said one of the additional district magistrates.

There is no electricity in the town since last night and it might take at least 2-3 days to restore normalcy, the official said. 

According to him, out of the three Hill sub-divisions, Darjeeling has borne the maximum brunt. 

The Darjeeling municipality office was found locked and same is the case with the GTA.