Bengal body summons GJM chief for 'repeated gross violation of child rights'

Kolkata: The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) has summoned Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung for "repeated gross violation of child rights", the statutory body`s chief said on Saturday.

The Commission took suo motu cognisance of an incident telecast live on a TV channel wherein GJM supporters in Darjeeling were seen "ransacking" a car ferrying schoolchildren on September 15.

"This is a repeat offence by the GJM. We had sent them a letter earlier as well but they did not respond. We have summoned them on October 23 for a hearing," WBCPCR Chairperson Ananya Chakraborti said.

The summons issued on October 10 says: "You have been repeatedly committing offence which is unacceptable and is violating the rights of the children."

The summons said that Gurung was earlier also asked to present himself before the commission over the "GJM`s political rallies using children during school hours" on June 29 and July 3.

Life came to a standstill for 104 days in Darjeeling and its neighbouring hills district Kalimpong after the GJM called an indefinite shutdown on June 12 to press for its demand for Gorkhaland.

The shutdown was lifted on September 27, hours after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to the GJM to call off the over three-month-long strike and invited them for talks to find an amicable solution to the issue.