Siliguri, 21st January: The Darjeeling District Committee of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) submitted an eight-point memorandum to the District Magistrate in Siliguri on Wednesday.
A protest march began with DYFI workers and supporters gathering at Mahatma Gandhi More, Siliguri, before marching through several city streets toward the office of the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad. A large police force was deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. Upon reaching the office, protestors were initially stopped by the police and then held a demonstration outside. Later, a few members of the DYFI delegation were allowed inside to submit the memorandum.
DYFI members stated that increasing employment opportunities in Siliguri is the main focus of their agitation. They demanded that the land allocated for the IT park under the SJDA be used for industrial and employment purposes instead of temple construction.
The protestors also called for the immediate reopening of long-closed tea gardens, establishment of minimum attendance for tea workers, and ensuring that tea estates are not handed over to corporate entities.