[lg policy] Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to visit hills today

[Harold Schiffman]

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.

Read more at: *http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-245459
<http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-245459>*


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