Plea to restore Internet in Darjeeling rejected

Dissent continues: Protests and rallies by supporters of Gorkhaland have become a daily affair in Darjeeling.  

PTI, DARJEELING (WB) , JULY 24, 2017 :With Class 9 students being unable to fill up their board examination forms without Internet, the Darjeeling teachers’ association on Monday met the district magistrate and sought restoration of its service, but in vain. The authorities rejected the demand saying they would make special arrangements for students to go to Siliguri to fill up their forms.

The authorities have cited persisting law and order problem in the Hills, facing an indefinite shutdown seeking a separate Gorkhaland for the last 40 days. Internet services in the Darjeeling Hills had been suspended on June 18.

No violence

Meanwhile, there was no report of any untoward incident from the hill town since Sunday night.

GJM supporters took out rallies at the Chowkbazar area demanding Gorkhaland amidst patrolling by police and security forces. Tight vigil was in place at every entry and exit route.

Except pharmacies, all other public service installations including shops, restaurants, hotels, schools and colleges have remained closed since imposition of the shutdown.

With food supply severely hit due to the shutdown, GJM activists and NGOs were seen distributing food items among the people.

According to officials, the State government sealed the Siliguri-based office of a Nepali language satellite television channel alleging that it was promoting unrest. The administration said the channel was promoting enmity between groups and encouraging violence and arson. The allegations were denied by the channel. “The Internet is banned for last 37 days and now this ban on the channel,” GJM supremo Bimal Gurung said.