Kolkata, Dec 9 (IANS): Doors of the hotels in the entire Darjeeling district of West Bengal, which include both plains and hills, will be closed for Bangladeshi visitors for an indefinite period, according to a decision taken by a hoteliers' body.
A statement issued by the Greater Siliguri Hotelier Welfare Association, a copy of which is available with IANS, says the decision has been reached through a unanimous vote by the members of the association, which reflects the collective stance of the body.
"Effective immediately, member hotels of the association will not permit the check-in of Bangladeshi citizens until further notice. The decision aims to ensure the safety and well-being of all guests and staff in the current sensitive situation in the current sensitive climate," the statement read.
In the statement, it has also been mentioned that the decision will be reviewed regularly based on the evolving situation with plans to reinstate accommodation for Bangladeshi citizens when deemed safe and respectful.
"Additionally, if any directive is issued by the administration regarding the matter, the association and its member hotels will fully comply and abide by it," read the statement.
According to the association secretary Ujjwal Ghosh, they have taken the decision despite apprehensions of facing loss during the tourist season considering the national pride.
"We cannot accept the kind of insult made to our national Tricolor in Bangladesh. Insulting comments about India are being made from there," he said.
Another hoteliers' body, Eastern Himalayan Travel & Tour Operators Association, too has expressed solidarity with the decision.
“The national pride comes first. We are ready to bear some losses for that. So we are supporting the decision to ban check-in of Bangladeshi visitors to the hotels in the district for the time being,” said an association office bearer.
The is the second hoteliers’ body in West Bengal to take such a decision, the first being an association of hoteliers operating from Malda district.