Darjeeling cops initiate case against 'Bimal Gurung's school'

The Darjeeling police have initiated a case against the Kachenjunga Public School in Darjeeling. The school is supposed to be running on the patronage of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung.

Amarnath Yadav, Additional Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling alleged that the school has been constructed on encroached land of a tea garden without any permission of the government hence has invited legal proceedings. He further claimed that there have been complaints against this from local residents and an FIR has been lodged at the Darjeeling Sadar Police station.

The land on which the school has been constructed in Malidhura, 8 km from Darjeeling town, belongs to Vuh- Tukver Tea Estate hence it is illegal the FIR states.

GJM sources stated that the CBSE-affiliated school is run by a trust. There are more than 500 students in the school out of which around 400 are from the Terai and Dooars region.

Roshan Giri, general secretary, GJM stated that most of the students of this school are from the below poverty line category. "Most of the students cannot afford education. They are provided free education, free food, free hostel facilities and even free uniforms."

Reacting to the charges leveled by the police, Giri stated: "If the police and administration are bent in jeopardising the future of these economically challenged kids, what can we say?"

Meanwhile, the Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha (youth wing of the GJM) sent letters to the President of India, Prime Minister and Union Home Minister seeking immediate intervention of the Union government in the Darjeeling impasse.

"The indefinite bandh has hit the 50 day mark. The fast unto death is on the 15th day. The condition of the Gorkhaland supporters observing the fast unto death is critical. Yet the Centre is silent. Our agitation till now has been democratic. Let us not be compelled to change the nature of our agitation. The Centre should immediately intervene," demanded Amrit Yonzon, general secretary, GJYM.