Indefinite bandh in Darjeeling

THE SITUATION in the hills of Darjeeling is turning serious, bringing back memories of the tumultuous period over two decades ago when the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland was raised for the first time. The Gorkha Mukti Morcha, which has revived the demand for a separate state, has called for an indefinite bandh [...]

Thousands of tourists stranded in "tea country" by ethnic protests

Darjeeling and other districts of western Bengal are paralyzed by a strike of the ethnic Gorkha party. They are asking for the creation of an independent state, and are accusing the ruling Marxists of aggression. There are not even enough vehicles available to take tourists to the airport. New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Thousands of tourists [...]

Gurkha strike for separate state halts life, tourist trade in eastern India

Tens of thousands of tourists were stranded in the tea-growing region of eastern India on Tuesday after a Gurkha separatist group called a strike to press its demand for an independent state, shutting down hotels, shops and roads.The Gurkha Janamukti Morcha wants a state for ethnic Gurkhas in the hill areas around Darjeeling in West [...]

Tourists leave Darjeeling due to strike, GJM supporters arrested

Photos by Barun (beacononline)
SILIGURI: The indefinite bandh called in Darjeeling hills by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) led to an exodus of tourists on Tuesday and leaving over 10,000 stranded in the plains. Stray violence was reported from neighbouring Jalpaiguri district and at least 350 people were arrested. The GJM had called for the [...]

Shutdown for Gorkhaland cripples life in Darjeeling

(Photos: By Barun: darjeeling on 11th June (himalayanbeacononline)
Life came to a standstill in West Bengal’s hill district of Darjeeling with a shutdown from Tuesday morning called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) demanding a separate Gorkhaland state for the region.According to reports, the shutdown received a good response as all shops, markets and business establishments [...]

Buddhadeb Rejects Separate Gorkhaland Demand

Maintaining that Darjeeling was an integral part of West Bengal, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Tuesday rejected the demand for carving the hill district out as a separate Gorkhaland state.He said the issue can be solved through talks if Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) activists stayed away from the shutdown in the hill district that began Tuesday [...]

Indefinite strike cripples Darjeeling, tourist exodus begins

Kolkata/Darjeeling: An indefinite Darjeeling bandh for a separate Gorkhaland state called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) began on Tuesday, commencing a season of woes for the people living on tourism as holidaymakers leave the hill station in thousands.An exodus of tourists, estimated to be around 40,000, began from the Queen of Hills as the [...]

Tourists stranded by India strike

By Subir Bhaumik BBC News, CalcuttaAn indefinite strike called by a regional political party in India’s tea-producing Darjeeling area has left thousands of tourists stranded.The protest has paralysed life in all the three districts of the region.On Monday, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) held a protest alleging attack on their supporters by activists of the [...]

NEWS IN HIMALAYA DARPAN: Gorkhaland

This time, violence could spread to plains

At the peak of the Gorkhaland movement, Siliguri and the rest of north Bengal plains watched from a safe distance the gory battle in the Hills. Two decades later, with the Gorkhaland demand revived, these plains may no longer be bystanders.For Gorkha Janamukti Morcha’s Bimal Gurung, the indefinite strike call is not just another showdown [...]