Tea is on ice because of political fire in Darjeeling

Tea is on ice because of political fire in Darjeeling

The iconic Darjeeling tea has all but disappeared from international markets, thanks to the unrest in the Hills! Now, it’s up to the Government sitting in Delhi to stir itself and try to bail it out. But as one sarcastic sod put it, “Tea is a very British drink, who knows whether Darjeeling tea will […]

Violence in Darjeeling confuses Citizens

Violence in Darjeeling confuses Citizens

Last night, a grenade attack on a Kalimpong police station killed a civic police volunteer and injured two policemen, after a blast in the heart of Darjeeling town on Friday midnight pockmarked shop shutters and shattered windowpanes. The back-to-back blasts in Darjeeling and Kalimpong have left a confused hill population asking: “What does Bimal Gurung […]

Sikkimese drivers, vehicles in danger at Siliguri?

Sikkimese drivers, vehicles  in danger at Siliguri?

Siliguri: Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s support of the Gorkhaland protests have created a piquant situation: Sikkim vehicles are being damaged by the pro-Trinamul anti Gorkhaland factions in Siliguri, while the vehicles with Sikkim  number plates are allowed to travel through Darjeeling. Bus and car services between Siliguri, considered the gateway to the north east, […]

GJM mischief disguised as Gorkhaland Issue?

GJM mischief disguised as Gorkhaland Issue?

The 78-kilometer toy train line from NJP to Darjeeling is silent. Few are seen in the tea gardens. Tear gas shells counter the stones and bottles pelted at the police. The unrest over a long simmering separatist movement rattles the town which this time of the year keeps buzzing with tourists from all over India. […]

Tamang Murder: GMM chief and wife granted bail

Tamang Murder: GMM chief and wife granted bail

Calcutta:  The Calcutta High Court on December 14  allowed anticipatory bail prayer of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung, his wife Asha and 20 others in connection with the murder of All India Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang. A division bench comprising justices Ashim Kumar Roy and M M Banerjee directed the petitioners to surrender […]

Is Mamata stirring up a Christian-Muslim divide in Gorkhaland?

Is Mamata stirring up a Christian-Muslim divide in Gorkhaland?

Is Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee up to some ‘social engineering’ of her own? Is she sowing discord among the Muslim and Christian population of the Hills? Mamata, in a rally in Kalimpong on September 22, had said ‘minority communities’ had approached her and sought the formation of a ‘cultural’ board. She’s  plans to announce […]

Darj locals aren’t too happy with Mamata’s ‘love’!

Darj locals aren’t too happy with Mamata’s ‘love’!

Darjeeling: Even as locals grumbled about the harrowing traffic problems and ugly pandal ‘adorning’ the famous Chowrasta, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced she would hold a state cabinet meeting in Darjeeling! She was apparently  mesmerized with the serenity of Raj Bhavan here. The Chief Minister was in town ,attending the 202nd birth anniversary of […]

Kalimpong: new district of Gorkhaland?

Kalimpong: new district of Gorkhaland?

Will Kalimpong become a new district? From whispers to murmurs, now the issue has gained ground, with Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chettri pitching for it. The demand for a separate district carved out of the Kalimpong sub-division in the Darjeeling hills is set to change of the course of politics in the region. This month, […]