<div dir="ltr"><div style="left: -99999px;">Mamata to visit hills
today
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is slated to attend a programme at Mirik
at 4 pm today followed by an administrative meeting on June 7 and a
Cabinet meeting on June 8 at Raj Bhawan in Darjeeling.
Amitava Banerjee | 4 Jun 2017 2:10 PM | Darjeeling, West Bengal
Mamata to visit hills today
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on a four-day visit to the Hills will be
arriving at Mirik on Monday. This visit is expected to have major
political implications as the Hills are in the grip of unrest over the
three language policy of the state government. The GJM has asked the
people of Mirik to switch off their lights from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday
as a mark of protest. The BJP, however, has preferred to distance itself
from Morcha's language agitation.
Though there is no official confirmation, the sources state that the CM
is scheduled to attend a programme in Mirik at 4 pm on Monday and
proceed to Darjeeling from Mirik. In Darjeeling, she will be holding
administrative meetings tentatively on June 7. On June 8th, a Cabinet
meeting will be held at the Raj Bhawan, Darjeeling. She will be
returning on June 9th.
Meanwhile, the GJM has lined up a series of agitation programmes during
the CM's stay in the Hills protesting the alleged "forceful imposition
of the Bengali language in the Hills, Terai and Dooars".
"We have appealed to the general public of Mirik to switch off their
lights from 6 pm to 8 pm in Mirik on Monday as a mark of protest. The
ones who are pro-Gorkhaland, an pro-Nepali language will do so," stated
Binay Tamang, Assistant General Secretary, GJM.
Amid anticipations of clashes, the first day of GJM's protests rallies
throughout the Hills passed off peacefully on Sunday. Rallies were held
in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik. GJM president Bimal Gurung
took part in the rally from Ghoom to Darjeeling, an 8 km stretch.
Thousands joined in the rally sporting black badges and black armbands
shouting slogans.
"We have lined up rallies throughout the Hills till June 8th. On Monday,
the rally will start from Singamari to Chowk Bazar via Gandhi Road and
Kak Jhora. On Tuesday, the rally will commence from Gorkha Ranga Mancha
Bhawan to Chowk Bazar via Kak Jhora. We will later announce the route
for the Wednesday rally," stated Roshan Giri, GJM general secretary.
"Students studying in Classes V and above have to wear black badges to
school and colleges from Monday as a mark of protest," added Giri.
"We have given permission for rallies on Monday also. However, from June
6 till June 9, permissions will not be given for rallies in Darjeeling
and Kurseong owing to VIP movement including ministers. Adequate police
bandobast has been made to ensure peace and tranquility in the Hills,"
stated Amit P Javalgi, Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling.
Many feel that in order to diffuse the situation, CM Mamata Banerjee
could announce an exemption of the three language policy in the
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration area.
In another development, talking to mediapersons in Siliguri on Sunday,
BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that the BJP
is not a part of the language agitation of the GJM.
When questioned on Gurung's appeal to the BJP against the alleged
forceful imposition of Bengali language, Vijayvargiya stated: "When
taking such a decision, the Bengal government should sit and discuss it
across the table rather than go in for a show of might. However, the BJP
is not a part of the language agitation of the GJM. It is their issue
and they can agitate over it."
Meanwhile, a GJM press release by Giri claimed that Vijayavargia has
stated that with public mandate, Gorkhaland can be created.
"The people of West Bengal are fed up with Mamata Banerjee Government.
In 2019, the BJP will definitely form the Government in Bengal. This
will pave way for the
formation of Gorkhaland as the West Bengal BJP is sincere towards the
creation of Gorkhaland. Vijayavargia's statement is a testimony to
this," claimed Giri.<br><br> Read more at: <b><a href="http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-245459">http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-245459 </a></b></div><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/" target="_blank">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
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