Govt holds sessions to restore normality

RAJEEV RAVIDAS and AVIJIT SINHA, TT, Sept. 10: The state government has initiated a two-pronged task to persuade people of the hills to defy the ongoing strike as a first measure to restore normality.

On one hand, the authorities have held talks with people from different walks of life with a request to keep everything open - from transport and hotels to banks.

On the other hand, Trinamul leader and minister Gautam Deb is touring different hamlets in the hills, along with party leaders and supporters, as a confidence-boosting measure for people to defy the strike.

Today, Viswanath, the Kalimpong district magistrate, held a meeting with representatives of schools, businesses and banks at the request of people who wanted normality to be restored.

"We requested them to start their services from tomorrow for the sake of common people and they have agreed to do so. They did raise the issue of safety and security and we assured them of all steps," he said.

Ajit Singh Yadav, the district superintendent of police, Kalimpong, was also present at the meeting.

The DM made a mention of students whose study had been hampered because of the shutdown. "We have pleaded that all schools be reopened. We cannot put the future of children in jeopardy," said Viswanath.

A representative of a school said he wanted all educational institutions to reopen, but that couldn't happen in an atmosphere of insecurity.

"Schools have suffered a massive hit by the strike. We are playing with the future of our children. More than anyone else, we want the schools to reopen at the earliest and we are committed to doing all that we can to make up for the loss of a major portion of academic calendar," he said.

Representatives of the other organisations in Kalimpong, too, said their primary concern was security.

"The administration has appealed to us to open our shops and assured us that adequate security will be ensured. If banks and schools reopen and transport services resume, shops will open automatically," said Narendra Somani, a businessman.

Yesterday, a similar initiative was taken by the Darjeeling administration in Kurseong also.

Minister Deb visited Lohagarh and Panighata, two small hamlets which are in the foothills and under Mirik subdivision.

In both the places, he led peace rallies which were attended by Trinamul leaders like Shanta Chhetri and Rajen Mukhia. The minister also distributed food grains among the residents.