Howrah News Service -  Latest news and headlines on Howrah,West Bengal and World: 'Do not visit Darjeeling this summer'

'Do not visit Darjeeling this summer'
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LOCALCORRESPONDENT on 30 April, 2008 02:00:00
 
"We are anticipating political unrest revolving around the fast-till-death
resolution of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) supporters starting on Thursday in
demand of organising political meetings and rallies at Siliguri town in
Darjeeling district. Tourists are requested not to visit Darjeeling this summer,
or else they will have to face problems like scarcity of water, black outs and
frequent road blockades," Bhattacharya said.
"The GJM supporters led by Bimal Gurung have asked the hill people to stop
paying all taxes, electricity and telephone bills. So there is every possibility
that the communication between the hills and the plains in the district will
suffer," he added.
The morcha supporters want complete statehood for Darjeeling instead of a Sixth
Schedule status that has granted greater autonomy for the region since 2005.
Gurung was expelled from Subash Ghisingh's Gorkha National Liberation Front
(GNLF) for 'anti-party' activities. The central government in 2005 announced the
Sixth Schedule status to the GNLF-led Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC),
which ensures greater autonomy to the governing body. (IANS)