Darjeeling: R esidents of the hill town, including school students, joined the apolitical Nagarik Sangraksha Samiti and took to the streets today, demanding a permanent solution to the perennial water scarcity here. The rally, which started from Chowrastha here, meandered through the town before ending in front of the office of the district magistrate (DM). On reaching there, when the citizens found that DM Rajesh Pandey was out of station, they alleged that he was “running away from addressing the problem”. Trouble started when additional district magistrate Shyamal Kumar Bhattacharya offered to discuss the matter. A source said the team initially refused to have the meeting with him, saying language would be a problem. When Bhattacharya told the rallyists that they could talk it out in Hindi, the Samiti members reportedly demanded that he should learn Nepali as it was the official language recognised by the state and also incorporated in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution. “If Nepali officers have to learn Bengali to serve in other parts of the state, those posted in Darjeeling should know Nepali as well,” said G.S. Yonzone, a member of the team.
Finally, when they agreed to have the meeting, the residents alleged that the authorities “were not sincere about solving the problem”. However, when the ADM asked for suggestions, Kiran Thakuri, who led the team, said: “We have not come to suggest, but to see to it that the authorities supply water at any cost.” The meeting ended with one of the Samiti members calling up Pandey, who promised to convene a meeting at 12 noon on Sunday at his office, a source said. The assurance over the phone, however, did not seem to convince the swelling crowd outside the DM’s office. They demanded that Bhattacharya should confirm the appointment in writing, the source said. Even after the delegation came out with the letter, the crowd reportedly refused to leave. It was only after Bhattacharya talked to the residents that they dispersed, the source added. The Samiti, however, drew flak from the GNLF-affiliated Gorkha National Students’ Front, who claimed that the “apolitical” rally was being organised by the PDF. The students’ body also criticised the Samiti for including students in the rally. Thakuri, however, rubbished the allegation and said the one-month-old Samiti was apolitical. “We would be happy if political parties help us,” he said.In the evening, the town was plastered with posters signed by one Janata, alleging that Thakuri has built a house by encroaching on a jhora. “We request the municipality to dismantle the structure,” the poster stated.
Finally, when they agreed to have the meeting, the residents alleged that the authorities “were not sincere about solving the problem”. However, when the ADM asked for suggestions, Kiran Thakuri, who led the team, said: “We have not come to suggest, but to see to it that the authorities supply water at any cost.” The meeting ended with one of the Samiti members calling up Pandey, who promised to convene a meeting at 12 noon on Sunday at his office, a source said. The assurance over the phone, however, did not seem to convince the swelling crowd outside the DM’s office. They demanded that Bhattacharya should confirm the appointment in writing, the source said. Even after the delegation came out with the letter, the crowd reportedly refused to leave. It was only after Bhattacharya talked to the residents that they dispersed, the source added. The Samiti, however, drew flak from the GNLF-affiliated Gorkha National Students’ Front, who claimed that the “apolitical” rally was being organised by the PDF. The students’ body also criticised the Samiti for including students in the rally. Thakuri, however, rubbished the allegation and said the one-month-old Samiti was apolitical. “We would be happy if political parties help us,” he said.In the evening, the town was plastered with posters signed by one Janata, alleging that Thakuri has built a house by encroaching on a jhora. “We request the municipality to dismantle the structure,” the poster stated.
