Darjeeling votes peacefully in large numbers

Darjeeling, April 18 (IANS) The tourist hub of Darjeeling in northern West Bengal saw a festival-like ambience Monday as people voted in large numbers amid the hill town's signature weather complete with fog, wind and occasional showers.
The Gorkha community voters turned out in their traditional dresses at the polling stations since morning, forming large queues here and in Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions.
Polling was peaceful in the six constituencies of Darjeeling district in the first phase of assembly elections with 35 percent voting registered till 1 p.m. against an overall 49 percent in the six northern districts.
However, in many of the booths, agents of parties opposed to the predominant Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) were absent.
Bharathi Tamang, Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) president and candidate from Darjeeling, said: "I am hopeful of victory after seeing the voters gathered in large numbers in front of all polling booths."
The internationally famous Darjeeling mall, a tourists' delight, was virtually empty. Very few people roamed around and most of the shops were closed because of the polls.
The three hill subdivisions - Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong - saw a greater voting percentage than the plains in the district.
Darjeeling constituency recorded 42 percent polling, Kalimpong 49, Kurseong 40, Siliguri 37, Matigara-Naxalbari 24 and Phansidewa 27 till 1 p.m.
The state's highest polling station at Sirikhola Primary School at an altitude of 2,800 metres, registered 50 percent polling till 1 p.m. Polling there was conducted under candlelight as electricity was not available.
P.K. Roy, first polling officer of Sirikhola, said people of all communities cast their votes with enthusiasm.
"As there is no electricity, we are unable to send information to sectoral offices on a regular basis," he added.
In Darjeeling district, the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced in nine booths.
Rohit Sharma, a Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) candidate contesting from Kurseong, said people voted fearlessly.
Prakash Dahal, GNLF candidate from Kalimpong seat, said the party will win the seat.
About 72 companies of central paramilitary forces were deployed in the district to face any eventuality.