This story is from September 26, 2017

Gorkhaland protests: Internet services restored in Darjeeling, Kalimpong

Life in West Bengal's hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong is limping back to normalcy after more than 100 days of shutdown pertaining to the demand of separate Gorkhaland, a senior police official said on Tuesday.
Gorkhaland protests: Internet services restored in Darjeeling, Kalimpong
Police personnel stand guard as supporters of the Trinamool Congress along with local residents take part in a rally in Mirik near Siliguri. (AFP)
NEW DELHI: Life in West Bengal's hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong is limping back to normalcy after more than 100 days of shutdown pertaining to the demand of separate Gorkhaland, a senior police official said on Tuesday. The official also confirmed that the state administration has decided to restore internet services in the strike-hit region.
"Normalcy in districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong has been restored with the active participation of the residents of the two districts.
Shops, business establishments and tea gardens have opened in both the districts," Anuj Sharma, ADG (Law and Order) said adding that the newly-formed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) too has started functioning effectively.
The residents of the two districts are now getting actively involved in the religious festivities centering Durga Puja leading to normalcy in the region. Keeping in mind these facts the state administration has decided to lift the restrictions on use of internet in the two hill districts, he added.
Earlier, the pro-strike Gorkhaland supporters torched a passenger vehicle in Lebong early on Sunday and another in Sonada late in the evening to send out a strong message to traders and shop owners who had resolved to open shutters after 101 days of shutdown.
That, however, couldn't stop several, including Glenary's, the popular restaurant-cum-confectionary outlet, from opening doors.
In Darjeeling's upper town area, a few roadside stalls opened in Toongsoong, leading off the horse stable in Chowrasta. A few business establishments selling winter garments were also open near the Chowrasta but shut shop by the afternoon. Barring Glenary's, however, prominent restaurants did not attempt to open.
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