An elusive peace: the crisis in Darjeeling

An elusive peace: the crisis in Darjeeling

SEPTEMBER 07, 2017 00:02 IST

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 07, 2017 00:09 IST

Behind the prolonged crisis in the Darjeeling hills

Why is the agitation continuing?

Almost three months after the Darjeeling hills plunged into crisis over the demand for Gorkhaland, the situation remains in a flux, with the West Bengal government and the main political party heading the stir, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), failing to arrive at a solution.

The indefinite strike is in its 11th week, leaving the economy in a shambles; schools and colleges have been shut since the second week of June and normal life has come to a grinding halt. The agitation which started over protests on the issue of imposing Bengali State-wide spread to the entire hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

What about talks with the State government?

Talks between the State government and political parties in the hills were held on August 29. Initially, political parties in the hills were reluctant to talk to the West Bengal government, but the Centre nudged both sides towards dialogue. Three political parties of the hills, including the GJM, participated in the talks. All stakeholders agreed to take forward the process of dialogue and emphasised the immediate need to restore normalcy in the hills.

Is there a rift within the GJM?

The hope of restoration of normalcy was short-lived with rifts within the GJM coming to the fore. Binoy Tamang, assistant general secretary of the GJM, who participated in the talks on behalf of the party, was expelled after he announced temporary lifting of the strike before the next round of talks on September 12. Even as Mr. Tamang and his associates stayed put in the hills with the State government’s backing, GJM president Bimal Gurung went into hiding, but called the shots nevertheless, announcing that the strike would continue. Though Mr. Gurung has softened his stand saying he will participate in the talks on September 12, the West Bengal police has launched a massive hunt for him in Darjeeling and Sikkim.

Is there a solution in sight?

With pressure mounting on the GJM, the indefinite strike may be lifted in the days to come. But the end of the strike may not bring lasting peace in the hills. Since the mid-1980s, the Darjeeling hills have witnessed agitations over the demand of a separate state. The formation of regional autonomous bodies brought peace for a while, but it was temporary. With the Centre and the West Bengal government showing no signs of approving the demand for Gorkhaland, granting more autonomous power to the hill people may be a way out of the impasse.

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