Hills normal despite protest, bandh call over Barun Bhujel's death

SNS, DARJEELING. 26 OCTOBER 2017: A day after arrested GJMM leader Barun Bhujel died in a Kolkata hospital and the subsequent call from GIMM chief Bimal Gurung for people to hit the streets, life remained normal in the Queen of the Hills today.

It maybe mentioned that a public poster purportedly pasted by the GJMM's youth wing had also called for a shutdown in the Hills today to protest and mourn Bhujel death.

As news of the custodial death of the Kalimpong municipality Ward councilor spread, the Morcha chief issued an audio clip, asking people to protest the death and pay homage by closing down the Hills for one day.

Apart from remaining open on Wednesday, people also did not hit the streets in Darjeeling.

A poster that went viral on social media and purportedly signed by the Morcha's youth front had called for a shutdown today. This too went unheard.

It was, however, not clear where the poster was pasted or if it was actually a genuine call given by the Morcha youth front.

People, who are just getting back to their daily activities after the tiring 104 days of strike, were today seen going about with their work. Not only shops, but schools and other establishments were open too. A good number of people were seen moving about the town like any normal day. All vehicles plied as usual.

Bhujel's hometown of Kalimpong downed shutters today too as a mark of respect to the late leader but vehicles plied as in any other normal day there.

Kurseong town too remained open, while the strike and protest call having no effect on the people, whatsoever. "There is no strike in the Hills. People are going about their normal life. There may have been some shops in certain areas which closed as a mark of respect to the departed soul, but overall the Hills remained open yesterday and today" rebel GJM leader and chairman of the board of administrators of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, Binay Tamang.

It may be mentioned that Mr. Tamang had said  recently on the Morcha foundation day that there would no more strikes in the Hills.