Impasse at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI)

Darjeeling : The ministry of defence is set to form a high-level committee to seek an amicable solution to the impasse at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) here.

The Hill Employees’ Association (HEA), N.B. Singh Road, is currently spearheading an agitation at the premier institute demanding the removal of all “additional” army personnel from it. Prior to 1986, the HMI had only the principal, vice-principal and doctor from the armed forces. Now the number of army personnel has increased to 15. The employees’ association, backed by the GNLF, wants HMI to revert back to the old pattern.

“I have been informed that the ministry will form a committee to seek an amicable solution. A formal notification will be issued soon after which we will come to know its composition,” said Col J.S. Dhillon, the principal of the HMI.

Since the institute’s budget allocation is made by both the ministry of defence and the Bengal government, the committee is expected to draw its members from both the Centre and state.

HEA members organised a token strike at the HMI today and the institute remained shut throughout the day. Early this morning, tension prevailed on the premises after the army personnel decided to report for work amid protests by HEA members. The presence of a strong police contingent stopped the situation from spiralling out of control.

Source: The Telegraph