Tourists flow to Darjeeling marred by GJM moral policing
6 Sep 2009, 1703 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Darjeeling, Sep 6 Tourism in Darjeeling, is taking a hit following a moral policing by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists.

The Gorkha community has been demanding a separate state called "Gorkhaland" carved out of West Bengal to protect their culture and heritage.

Cradled in the hills of the eastern part of West Bengal, Darjeeling has always been a favourite spot for tourists because of its snowcapped mountains, and the pristine scenery.

The recurrent shutdowns and protests by GJM activists is great causing inconvenience to tourists, some of the local felt.

"We are husband and wife and we should have the freedom," said Amit Ghosh, a tourist.

The moral policing has been on since September 1,when GJM activists punished a couple for walking hand in hand.

"There is a difference between Indian and Western culture and this drive is aimed at those who are trying to imitate Western culture," claimed Binay Tamang, assistant secretary, of the GJM Central Committee.

Locals say the acts of moral policing will injure hill station tourism.

The lush green tea estates around the town and the narrow gauge 'toy train', a UNESCO world heritage site added more color to Darjeeling that is situated at a height of 2134 meters above sea level.

Tea, timber and eco tourism are the mainstay of the Bengal economy. Over four million tourists visit state every year.(ANI)

Related Latest

Method to generate power for planes and cars from air flow developed Vatican condemns New Moon as a "deviant moral vacuum" Tourists flock to Gulmarg in large numbers to see season's first snowfall Tourists flock Himachal Pradesh's Solang Nala to see snowfall GJM activists force closure of liquor shops in Darjeeling Israeli tourists enjoy a musical evening in Varanasi Darjeeling farmers erect fence to save crops from wild elephants Akon, T-Pain Oz concert marred by violence Brit couple welcomes tourists in nudist B andB! Darjeeling toy train gets vestibule coaches

Related Latest

What kind of China at PM's banquet? Security beefed-up in Mumbai ahead of 26/11 anniversary Test match against India starts from scratch, says Sangkkara Sonia Gandhi assures support to wives of Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar Indian sub-continent is prone to nuclear war: Army Chief Chhattisgarh man, a snake venom junkie Centre to set up six Spice Parks Widows of 26/11 martyrs meet Sonia 'Pigeon' McGrath still as miserly and deadly as in his hey-day India -ASEAN free trade agreement to come into force in January 2010

• What kind of China at PM's banquet?
• Security beefed-up in Mumbai ahead of 26/11 anniversary
• Test match against India starts from scratch, says Sangkkara
• Sonia Gandhi assures support to wives of Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar
• Indian sub-continent is prone to nuclear war: Army Chief

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights