June 30: A group of Bhutanese students studying in colleges in Darjeeling arrived in Phuentsholing this week. The students were escorted by Indian security personnel in Darjeeling. Two Zimpom Woongmas were also sent from the office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon to receive the students.

Our reporter Tenzin Wangda says 16 students who completed their exams entered Bhutan safely. A total of over 40 students were supposed to come along with the escort.

Our reporter says there are still Bhutanese students who are sitting for examinations taking courses like B.Com and Bachelor in Computer Applications. Their examination is due to end with another phase of shut down likely to begin by next weekend.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained unaffected by the shutdown so far. This was done to avoid disruption of regular classes. Tea gardens and Cinchona plantations, which employ the largest workforce in the hills, also functioned normally.

However, students said the situation during the strike was sometimes problematic leaving them even without basic necessities. This is due to the restriction on the movement of people. They said getting transportation was out of question.

The students who were escorted said it was still not safe to travel on their own. According to Indian media reports, another strike is likely to resume from the July 5. It said the shutdown this time could even affect educational institutions.

Meanwhile, the Bhutanese students expressed gratitude to Indian government for providing security escorts so far. The President of the Bhutan Students Association however, said it would not be safe to go back if the strike resumes.

The first phase of the indefinite strike began on June 10 till June 12 which was called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

There are over a 1,000 students studying in colleges in Darjeeling and Kalimpong in India.