‘Janta curfew’ success disobey Mamata’s 72 hour ultimatum

Newspapers fail to reach hills, water tanks too remained off

NBS Times

Darjeeling August 13: The ‘Janata curfew’ turned out to be a total success on the first day in the hills  sending a thump down signal to the Bengal chief minister Mamata Bannerjee’s ultimatum of 72 hours to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s indefinite shutdown which ended on Monday. Interestingly, not even the newspapers reached the hills, milk vendors remained absent and water tankers remained off the roads despite emergency services remaining exempted.

Medicine shops did remain open but hardly could get any customers. As announced by the GJM picketers in the form of GJM activists did not appear on the roads and all the GJM leaders remained indoors while the GJM headquarters in Singamari closed. “I will stay at home the whole day to support the Janta curfew. I am getting news from all areas that it is a great success. Well done people,” quipped Bimal Gurung, the GJM chief from his residence.

"The agitation will continue from the 19th," Gurung said in a post on Facebook, without specifying what the agitation would be or whether the indefinite bandh which entered the 11th day, would be continued.

"The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will continue to exercise their freedom of expression, speech and will assemble peacefully to press for their demand for Gorkhaland. We will let the people know our plans on the 16th," he said.

The district magistrate office opened with the District magistrate and the other magistrates attending the office minus the employees. The scene in Kalimpong  wore a deserted look with the beginning of 'Janata Curfew' today as masses preferred to remain indoors responding to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's call to defy West Bengal government's Saturday's 72-hour ultimatum to restore normalcy. Large numbers of security personnel have been deployed to contain any untoward situations.

Meanwhile North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb and Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee visited the Hills on Tuesday. Minister Deb visited the foothills and parts of Kurseong sub division including Garidhura, Dudhiya, Marionbarie Tea Estate and Rohini area. He met local residents.

Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee arrived in Darjeeling town held a meeting with administrative and Police top brass at the Richmond Hill Government Guest House. After an hour of meeting he departed for Siliguri. He did not talk to the media in Darjeeling.

Raids and arrests continued. In different raids on Monday night 30 people have been arrested from all over the Hills. The arrest includes GJM leader Manoj Tamang from Gorubathan in the Kalimpong sub division.