Govt blamed for Morcha bandh

The tourism sector and the business community today hit out at the state government for remaining silent to the 10-day strike of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, fearing that the ripple effect of the bandh may extend till the Pujas.

“Over the past two-and-a half years, the tourism sector in north Bengal has suffered, not only because of the frequent strikes and agitation but the silence of the state government as well,” said Raj Basu, the working president of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association. “The current tourist season usually extends till mid-June when the forests close down and the rains come. We fear the Morcha announcement would lead to random cancellations throughout the Darjeeling hills and Dooars. It might even discourage tourists from visiting north Bengal during the Durga Puja.”

Earlier, Basu had said that at least 1 lakh tourists visit this region during the peak season. “And this time, about 10,000 extra tourists have been coming here per week,” Basu said. Cancellations in Darjeeling had started with the announcement of the weekend strike. “Moreover, the peak season in the circuit here is of 60 to 70 days and unfortunately, the strikes are eating up those days,” Basu had said. The summer this year had proved to be a boom for the tourism sector, with hotels in Darjeeling hills and the Dooars reporting an overcrowding. This, however, changed suddenly with Morcha’s announcement of the 48-hour strike on May 15 and 16, followed by the announcement of the 10-day blow.

Businessmen, too, have started counting losses. “It is not only the strike but we are also concerned about the probable repercussions (in the form of violence) as some organisations have threatened to oppose it as well,” said Biswajit Das, the general secretary of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, north Bengal. “We do not support any strike and feel there can be deterioration in law and order, which means further losses.”

Das was hinting at the 72-hour strike called by the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad from May 17. The shutdown, however, has nothing to do with the statewood agitation. The Parishad, however, will oppose the Morcha bandh tooth and nail.

“We have been demanding Sixth Schedule status for 315 mouzas in the Terai and Dooars for development of tribals,” said Parishad state general secretary Tezkumar Toppo. “We will oppose tooth and nail any attempt to include the Terai and Dooars in the interim set-up or Gorkhaland and will also oppose the strike. We will give an apt reply in case the set-up is thrust on us.”

Another anti-Gorkhaland outfit, the Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Banchao Committee, will also oppose the Morcha shutdown. Bhasha Committee president Mukunda Majumdar said the Centre and state should stop the Morcha from “violating the constitution and law any further.” It has called a 24-hour strike tomorrow to protest the interim set-up.

“Morcha leaders are law-breakers and the announcement shows their arrogance. We will actively oppose any strike called by the Morcha,” he said.

Minister Asok Bhattacharya whose government has been accused of being a silent spectator said the Morcha announcement spoke of the hill party’s insecurity. “The Morcha is fast loosing its foothold and we won’t be surprised if the common people start protesting soon,” said Bhattacharya, who has represented the state in the first round of political- talks.

Source: The Telegraph