Activists from the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) have been hoisting black flags across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and surrounding areas since 5 August to protest the delay in implementing a Permanent Political Solution for the region.
Charkhole is a village that has been abundantly blessed by nature. On one side, you get to enjoy the majestic view of the Kanchenjunga, and on the other, you get to witness the magical, extensive stretch of the valleys.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has taken an in-principle decision not to allow setting up of fresh hydropower projects in the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
The plan for dwellings alongside the hillslopes must of necessity be vetted more carefully than has been manifest.
"The civic body has readied four pumps to drain out water in case of requirement. We have alerted the borough officers and asked them to keep monitoring the situation. The control room has been activated and we are monitoring the entire situation"
It may be mentioned here that the Kalimpong Subdivisional Officer had recently handed down notices to at least 200 families living in forest areas, quashing their claims that they were forest dwellers.
However, according to him, any development work in the area there necessitates 'No Objection Certificates' (NOC) from Gram Sabhas of the respective areas, which, they have not yet issued.
The required staff and nurses have already been appointed there, along with medical officers, nursing officers and paramedics, a team of whom would work for seven days and go into seven days of quarantine, while the other team takes over.
The 44- year-old woman died in the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) on 30 March.
On 28 May, 344 people tested Covid-19 positive, which till today was the single-day highest for the state.
