The hill region of West Bengal had witnessed weeks of violent protests between native Gorkhas and security forces over the demand of a separate state within the Indian constitution. Schools, businesses, training institutes, shops and the region’s main tourist business had received a massive setback due to the prolonged agitation. 

Here’s a timeline of the recent Gorkhaland agitation

May 16, 2017: West Bengal govt announces Bengali as a compulsory subject from Class 1 to 10 across the state.

5 June, 2017: GJM president Bimal Gurung leads protest rallies against the decision in Nepali-speaking Darjeeling hills for three days.

8 June, 2017: WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clarifies Bengali will be an optional subject in the Gorkha-dominated Darjeeling hills.

9 June, 2017: Protests continue. Government calls in Army to prevent escalation of protests.

16 June, 2017: GJM supporters set fire to several government establishments in the regions

13 June, 2017: 5 political outfits including BJP adopt a resolution to push for separate state of Gorkhaland.

15 June, 2017: GJM calls for indefinite shutdown in the region.

16 June, 2017: Calcutta High Court calls GJM’s shutdown “illegal and unconstitutional.”

17 June, 2017: 3 killed, many injured during alleged police firing on the Gorkha protesters.

18 June, 2017: Internet services across Darjeeling Hills suspended.

July 7-8, 2017: Fresh violence erupts in Darjeeling and Sonada, leaving three people dead. Protesters also torch iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – a UNESCO heritage site. Mamata Banerjee offers talks if violence stops.

July 9, 2017: Gorkhaland protests reach New Delhi. Supporters of Gorkhaland march from Raj Ghat to Jantar Mantar. GJM rejects Mamata Banerjee’s offer of talks.

11 July, 2017: Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee announces a fast unto death sit-in from July 15.

13 July, 2017: GJM supporters allegedly set on fire a tourist information office and damage few government vehicles.

13 August, 2017: In a U-turn, Centre tells GJM to enter in talks with Bengal CM over Gorkhaland demand.

22 August, 2017: Cracks appear in the Gorkhaland agitation leadership after the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) unilaterally seeks talks with WB government.

29 August, 2017: Mamata Banerjee calls for a meeting with parties in Darjeeling Hills. Talks fail.

1 September, 2017: GJM suspends indefinite shutdown till next next round of talks with the state government.

12 September, 2017: Even though WB govt. agress to some of GJM’s demands, consensus eludes to end the shutdown.

19 September, 2017: Gorkhaland supporters meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.

26 September, 2017: Internet service in the region restored ahead of normalcy in the region.

27 September, 2017: GJM calls off the indefinite strike more than 100 days after it started in June. 

(Timeline sourced from PTI, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, The Hindu and FirstPost)

Watch a detailed explainer on Gorkhaland agitation 

Feature image source: PTI/File Photo