Violence reported across the hills after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha called for a complete shutdown following a raid on its president Bimal Gurung’s residence in Patlebas; Mamata Banerjee sends seven more IPS officers to control the situation
Three columns of the Army were deployed near the headquarters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha at Singmarii in Darjeeling on Friday to tackle the violent situation in the hills.
Violence was reported across the hills on Thursday and a media vehicle was set on fire after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) called for a complete shutdown in the hills following a raid on its president Bimal Gurung’s residence in Patlebas and ”seizure” of arms, bows and arrows, baseball bats, sharp weapons, knives and crackers.
On Friday, the cash counter of Rimbick Hydel power plant and a primary health centre in Darjeeling were set on fire by miscreants. The Tarakhola forest bungalow at Kalingpong, a primary school, and a gram panchayat office at Merik were also destroyed by arson.
Meanwhile the Mamata Banerjee government has sent seven more IPS officers to Darjeeling to control the situation.
There was a complete shutdown in the Darjeeling hill on the second day of the indefinite strike call by the GJM. Shops, educational institutions and commercial establishments including hotels, remained shut.
Tension remains visible at Patlebas, where police personnel on Thursday retreated following incidents of pelting of stones and clashes between the protesters and security forces.
