A total of 64 Bhutanese students studying in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India, was safely escorted to Phuentshogling yesterday. A Bhutanese woman working in Kalimpong was among the group escorted home.
The students heaved a sigh of relief as they reached Phuentshogling last night around 9:30 after an eight-hour journey. They were escorted by Phuentshogling police and dungkhag officials.
The escort service was arranged for the safety of the students amid the ongoing strike in the Indian State of West Bengal.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is protesting against a recent decision by the West Bengal government to introduce Bengali as a compulsory subject in schools across the state.
The President of the association of Bhutanese students studying in Kalimpong, Namgay Dorji, said while there were no risks to their lives, the strike did affect them. “All shops are closed and the roads blocked,” he said.
“We were not able to buy groceries and vegetables. We are happy and relieved to be home and would like to thank for the escort service,” added Namgay Dorji.
Meanwhile, the Bhutanese students studying in Darjeeling are currently taking their examinations.
According to the Director of the Department of Law and Order, the students in Darjeeling are safe. The director added an escort service will be arranged to bring them home safely after their examinations are over if the strike continues.
