Nepali channels banned in Darjeeling

WEST BENGAL, INDIA - The Election Commission (EC) of West Bengal, India has banned Nepali television channels in Darjeeling region, where a majority of people speak Nepali language, ahead of the 15th Vidhan Sabha election. The Vidhan Sabha election is slated for Monday in Darjeeling.
The Vidhan Sabha or the Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the provincial state in India.
The authorities banned Nepali channels fearing that Nepali television channels could air programmes that might provoke the Nepali speaking population. Nepali Channels such as government-owned Nepal Television and other private channel including Kantipur Television are broadcasted across the globe via satellite. 
In a statement today, the EC banned the broadcast of Nepali as well as Bengladeshi channels in the region. The commission has been keeping a close eye on foreign channels in view of the possible security threats.
Earlier, the State government had been mulling ways to make the environment in Darjeeling conducive to hold the elections.
The State Government was looking at the February 8 violence at Sipchu village in the Dooars as a law and order problem, Indian media quoted government officials.

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