'Right to Education Act, No school authorities can be involved in the 'bandh'

SNS, 31 May 2017, Kalimpong: At a time when the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) activists have been preparing to observe two-day shut down programme in all the educational institutions in the newly formed Kalimpong district protesting against alleged imposition of Bengali language in the Bills, district magistrate Dr Biswanath today said that no school authorities according to 'Right to Education Act, can be involved in the 'bandh' shutting down their institutions.

"We have sent an order to authorities concerned including the additional district inspector of schools and block development officer to keep a close watch on every school. The schools will run as usual and won't now allow any political parties to involve schools and its students,' said Dr Biswanath. Kalimpong SP AS Yadav said that the police would take legal actions in case of forceful shutdown agitation following the directives of Supreme Court.

Elaborate police arrangements will be made to maintain law and order.

GJMM-backed students wing in Kalimpong had asked the school authorities to shut down on 1 an d 2 June in this issue.

The political parties here have made Bengal government's decision a matter of public concern and an issue to march on the streets. Morccha has found a prime issue to object during the chief minister's visit to the hills.

Bhushan Tamang, the general secretary of Student Morcha central committee said, "Schools should postpone ongoing home exams, but there will be an excuse for board exams.'

Bengal government is trying to intrude our mother tongue and to wipe out our clan. We strongly protest and appeal to all the educational institutions and language Nepali related organisations and other political parties to come forward to protest against this government's imposition," he added.

Meanwhile, Satish Theeng, Kalimpong district president of TMC said."This is just a concept of the government, there isn't any official notification regarding the compulsion of Bengali language, moreover they have clearly said that the subject is optional'. Morcha has made this a political propaganda, they could've discussed the matter with the education minister and other officials in Kolkata and clarified the matter rather than attempting to close down the schools here.'

TIC remains undecided over the protest of GJMM.

When The Statesman contacted Mr Theeng over phone, he added "I will reach town tomorrow morning and discuss the matter with the party members about our role tomorrow."