Siliguri, PTI:Normal life was partially affected during a 12-hour bandh in Siliguri on Wednesday called by some political parties demanding arrest of Gorkha National Liberation Front Chief Subash Ghising over his comments against the Opposition and media.
Normal life was partially affected during a 12-hour bandh in Siliguri on Wednesday called by some political parties demanding arrest of Gorkha National Liberation Front Chief Subash Ghising over his comments against the Opposition and media.
The bandh, called by ‘Amra Bangali’ and supported by the Shiv Sena, is also to protest against the granting of the sixth schedule status to Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) at a tripartite agreement in New Delhi early last week.
Ghising’s remarks have sparked a political furore in the region with Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) on Tuesday lodging an FIR at the Darjeeling sadar police station.
It had sent a copy of it to Darjeeling District Police Superintendent Rajiv Mishra saying Ghising should be held responsible for any violence against any leader or supporter of the party, anywhere, anytime.
Normal life has been partly affected in this bustling town, considered the gateway to the North East, with the market areas completely closed.
Offices open
Buses, cars and the ubiquitous rickshaws plied in fewer numbers but offices, both private and government, remained open.
Ghising’s statement, CPRM claimed, will again lead to unrest and violence in the Darjeeling Hills as during the days of the Gorkha agitation about 18 years ago.
The All India Gorkha League, an anti-GNLF party, will hold a meeting of its top brass on Wednesday and decide on its plan of action, its president Madan Tamang said.
CPI-M Darjeeling district unit secretary J Sarkar said the party would not wish to make any comments on the issue.
“If any stir is created due to this issue there will be unrest in the hills.”
At a victory rally at Chakbazar in Darjeeling on Sunday, just days after the tripartite agreement, Ghising asked the media to report the truth or face consequences and lambasted the opposition political parties.
“Those deviating from the truth should be ready to face the consequences. Being an ex-army man I know how to deal with such elements... I can keep them (opposition leaders) in my pocket. Such opposition leaders can throw their party flags in Teesta. The GNLF reigns supreme in the hill people’s minds,” he said.
Scribes protest
Ghising’s statements evoked strong protest from the journalists in the Darjeeling hills and Siliguri, who charged Ghising with instigating the hill people to resort to violence and demanded legal action against him.
Protest letters were sent by them to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President A P J Abdul Kalam and Governor G K Gandhi, Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee as well as the National Human Rights Commission on Monday.
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