Net lines snapped for non-payment

Darjeeling, Nov 4: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has started “suspending” broadband connections in Darjeeling for non-payment of bills.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had asked the hill people to stop making all forms of payments, including electricity and telephone bills, from April 1 as part of their non-co-operation movement for a separate state.

Many customers using broadband connection in Darjeeling started complaining that their accounts had been suspended for the past two-three days. The Telegraph has come in touch with at least five persons, whose log-ins have failed because of the suspension of the accounts.

S. Kushwaha, the subdivisional engineer of Darjeeling Telecom, admitted that the accounts had been suspended because of dues. The official, however, could not give the exact number of connections which had been suspended so far.

The BSNL authorities had earlier also tried to disconnect Internet connections in Darjeeling hills for non-payment. The Morcha had then threatened to take “stern action” following which the lines were restored.

Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, said today the party was receiving many reports on broadband connections being disabled. “We will look into each case and then discuss with our party leaders to decide on our action,” he said.

The Morcha had earlier decided to allow payment of electricity bills for three months starting from October.

However, even then, it had made it clear that the hill people would not pay outstanding bills of more than Rs 9 crore that had accumulated between April 1 and September 30.

There was no such relaxation announced with regard to the telephone bills.

Given that there are about 200 broadband connections in Darjeeling, most of which fall under the monthly plans of Rs 250, Rs 500 and Rs 750, the dues are not as high as those of the electricity bills.

Even though people from across the hills are not paying their landline bills either, the BSNL has not discontinued their services.