PARADISE GONE WRONG

By Aspriha Mandal

 

Imagine going on a vacation to unwind and get away from life, to cool down a bit and then finding yourself in middle of chaotic state turmoil, can certainly change everything. Being stuck in a picturesque place can be certainly good but not when it’s on boil. 

West Bengals northern town Darjeeling which is famous for its tea and toy train is in sate of turmoil. In the recent past the situation in the hill station has been favourable for the tourism industry especially since 2013 – with the Morcha refraining from calling flash strikes and long shutdowns. 10,000 to 15,000 tourist stuck there compelled to State Government to call in  the Army  when the clash between the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters with police went out of hand. 

Paramilitary forces deployed on the streets of Darjeeling. Picture Courtesy : HT

However since 111^th morning life was returning to normalcy in West Bengal’s troubled Darjeeling hills as no fresh violence was reported on Sunday, but uncertainty prevailed as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) called an indefinite shutdown from Monday.

Many tourists, who were stuck in the picturesque tourist town, reached Kolkata on Sunday heaving a sigh of relief after tense few days in the hills.

The West Bengal government has arranged buses to ferry the tourists free of cost from Sealdah station of Kolkata to their homes.

However this experience will remain the most bitter and fearful  memorable vacation for those who found themselves in that unforeseen and unfortunate turn events. Many tourists were forced to take the streets when all the hotels went for a bandh.Once again humanity proved that even in the middle of violence there is bit of humanity left when the locals helped them by providing food to those stranded.

Representatives of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association said they would try their best to help tourists with the support of the administration.

After the Morcha’s call, tourists began making hurried arrangements for returning home, either by rail or road or air. Lines outside ATMs lengthened for the tourist.

However people are only hoping for things to calm down and Darjeeling becomes like before. A town where memories are created out of emotions and beauty .

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