Centre: Won’t send more force till West Bengal govt submits report

On June 13, the Centre had sought a report from the West Bengal government on the situation in the hills, where GJM has launched a movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

gorkhaland, darjeeling bandh, gorkha Janmukti Morcha, gorkhaland bandh,

Tourists stranded in Darjeeling, on Friday. Express Photo by Partha Paul

As stranded tourists, shut shops and sporadic incidents of arson marked the second day of the indefinite bandh called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in the hills, the Centre on Friday held back additional paramilitary personnel who were supposed to be sent to Darjeeling till the West Bengal government sends a report on the situation there.

The 400 additional personnel, whom the Home Ministry had on Thursday decided to send to Darjeeling on a request from the state government, will not be dispatched immediately.

“We will take a decision on sending additional paramilitary forces only when we make an assessment of the prevailing situation… It is possible only when we receive a report from the state government,” a home ministry spokesperson said.

On June 13, the Centre had sought a report from the West Bengal government on the situation in the hills, where GJM has launched a movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Around 1,000 central paramilitary personnel, including 200 women, have already been deployed.

Hundreds of tourists were seen stranded on Friday morning at Darjeeling’s Chowk Bazar area. Advised by hotel owners to leave, families were seen waiting in long queues for any mode of transport to Siliguri. The closure of shops had led to a shortage of food and water.

Army personnel conducted patrols at Patlaybass, a stronghold of GJM chief Bimal Gurung. Express photo by Partha Paul.

“We are from Canada. We came here a week ago. Now, we are waiting for some mode of transport to Siliguri so that we can take a flight to Kolkata. We were not prepared for this,” said Allan, who was waiting at the bus stand with his two friends.

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Meanwhile, government vehicles were vandalised on NH-10. In the early hours of Friday, a medical unit at Rammam Hydel Project in Lodhoma was torched. A customer care centre of the West Bengal State Electricity Development Corporation Limited was set ablaze too.

Army personnel conducted patrols at Patlaybass, a stronghold of GJM chief Bimal Gurung.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

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