For out-station friends: darjeeling is in media blackout since the state authorities, in a move similar to the unpopular media clamp-down by dictatorial authoritarian regimes in the Arab spring, forcefuly shut-down the cable television network across the hills last evening. the network was popular among the residents because unlike the national & state channels, it proactively highlighted the demand for separate statehood & extensively covered public demonstrations. today is the seventh day of the indefinite closure of the hills that was called by political leaders to pressurise the authorities. protest rallies shouting slogans continue to march through the desolate streets daily. so also the increasing reports of youths with self-aflicted wounds in protest & targeted arrests. the number of people venturing out scouring for food items is also on the rise as the food stocked a week ago shrinks further. amid all this hue and cry, the state authorities, which have not paid much heed to date, are yet to respond (hopefully) with an apt resolution and break this dead-lock. God bless us all.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 13:11:47 +0000
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