Darjeeling: Gorkha Janamukti Morcha postpones 12-hour general strike

DARJEELING: Gorkha Janamukti Morcha has postponed a 12-hour general strike in the hiils from April 2 to April 10 in view of Easter on April 5.

Morcha chief Bimal Gurung today said "We have decided to postpone the strike as it coincides with Easter and we need to honour the sentiments of the Christian community. The March 28 public meeting is also being postponed for the higher secondary examinations."

The ongoing Higher Secondary examaminations in West Bengal will end on March 31.

The strike was called to protest the state's alleged interference in appointing para-teachers on contract for teaching Lepcha in 46 hill schools.

GJM had said the recruitment should have been done by GTA and not Darjeeling district magistrate as education department was transferred to the hill body under the GTA Act.

The state had formed a selection committee headed by Darjeeling district magistrate for recruiting para-teachers and the DM's office started the recruitment process on February 20.

Interviews are scheduled for March 25 and the results are to be declared two days later. But the Morcha moved Calcutta High Court, challenging the government's move to recruit the para-teachers.