Gorkhaland stir: Darjeeling boarding schools extend vacation

Darjeeling's boarding schools have extended their vacation on account of the indefinite shutdown in the hills. The vacation had begun on June 23 and the schools were originally scheduled to reopen on Tuesday.  

"We have decided to extend the vacation as the shut down is going on. We have not given any time-frame as to when the schools will reopen. As soon as normalcy returns in the hills, we will inform parents and reopen schools," Principal of St. Joseph's North Point, Father Shanjumon said.

Father Shanjumon is a member of the Darjeeling ICSE Schools Association. St. Joseph's North Point is a prominent boarding school in the Darjeeling Hills.

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The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha( GJM) had given a 12-hour window to schools on June 23 to evacuate boarders.  The indefinite shutdown in the hills over the demand of a separate state of Gorkhaland entered its 19th day on Monday.

Normal life was affected due to the shutdown. Except pharmacy, all other shops, restaurants, private offices and hotels remained closed. 

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