Unrest in Darjeeling hills casts shadow over schools and educational institutions
21 Jun 2008, 1436 Hrs

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Kurseong (West Bengal), June 21 (ANI): The unrest in West Bengal's Darjeeling District where protesters have intensified their movement for a separate Gorkhaland, is casting its shadow over schools as students started leaving their campuses.

Members of the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJM) had called for an indefinite shutdown from June 10 onwards in an attempt to mount pressure on the State and Central Governments for separate statehood.

Life has come to a standstill in the region and the future of the schools and educational institutions are on stake due to the regular shutdown, as the parents feel insecure to send their children to schools and colleges.

"Parents would feel the insecurity of sending their children to our area," said N T Thapa, principal, Alphonsus School.

Though the educational institutions have not been directly hit and students have not been involved in the protests, it seems the unrest is going to spell problems as worried parents are reaching out to fetch their children back.

"After seeing the news, parents are worried. They asked how the situation is?," said Sharmishtha Roy, a student at Alphonsus School.

As local media reports about national highways being closed and tourists being advised to leave and tea estates being shutdown, it is quite likely that young students will face trouble.

The GJM have been organising rallies and protests in Darjeeling hills to press their demand for a Gorkhaland state.

The government has referred the bill to a parliamentary standing committee as demanded by the opposition. The State Government in West Bengal state has been resisting demands for a separate state to Gorkhas. (ANI)