Kalimpong to join 12-hr bandh called by tea trade unions

Darjeeling: Kalimpong has decided to join the 12 hour bandh scheduled for October 4 in the Darjeeling Hills.

The bandh has been called in protest against the tea industry management failing to disburse bonus before the festive season. While the trade unions have demanded 20% bonus, the management is not willing to climb up from 15%. Multiple rounds of talks have failed to break the deadlock.

Bhuwan Khanal, spokesperson, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, said while talking to media persons in Kalimpong on Thursday: "Expressing solidarity with our garden workers, Kalimpong district will also remain closed on October 4 for 12 hours. Business establishments will remain closed and vehicles will not ply. However, emergency services have been kept out of the purview of the bandh."

Out of the 87 gardens in the Hills, 6 fall in Kalimpong district. On Thursday, 2 leaders each from the 7 trade unions sat on a

hunger strike at the Darjeeling Motor Stand. Similar hunger strikes were also observed by tea garden workers in their respective gardens.