Calcutta HC hears PIL on Darjeeling issue

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was heard today on the Darjeeling issue at the Calcutta High Court by the acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre's division bench over the deployment of forces in the region.

The Additional Solicitor General submitted that 11 companies of the Central Force have been deployed in the hills and eight companies in Basirhat. So currently, it is not possible for additional forces to be deployed, unless the Centre feels it absolute necessary to send forces.

The Advocate General submitted a report and said that if the central force was not possible then the three companies of women central force exchanged with three companies of men and three companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) be sent.

After hearing the submission of both the sides, acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre observed that people are in a sad situation. It seems as if the Centre and the State are not worried.

The acting Chief Justice also ordered the district judge of city sessions court to submit a report in one week in the Madan Tamang case - that how many days the accused Bimal Gurung and others were supposed to be present in court and how many days they were actually present.

On July 3, the West Bengal District Administration extended the restriction imposed on internet services for another eight days in Darjeeling to halt rumours from spreading through social media.

Earlier in the week, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which has launched the protest demanding a separate Gorkhaland, announced continuation of its indefinite strike after conclusion of the all party meeting in Darjeeling.

On Wednesday, the Public Works Department (PWD) office of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was set ablaze by the GJM workers. They also burnt copies of the tripartite GTA accord at several places.