- Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) called for an indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling from 12 June
- Protests continued on Sunday as large numbers poured out on the streets
- Rajnath Singh urged the people of Darjeeling to maintain peace
- GJM chief Bimal Gurung said that Mamata’s allegations on the agitation being funded by insurgent groups are “white lies”
- The Hill parties have adopted a resolution for a separate Gorkhaland state
- Mamata’s West Bengal government removed Darjeeling DSP
- Tourism is affected in Darjeeling, according to tour operators
'Nobody Should Resort to Violence': Rajnath Singh
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the people of Darjeeling to “remain calm and peaceful” on Sunday as protests in the region, demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland, have intensified. Singh spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday regarding the situation.
I appeal to the people living in Darjeeling and nearby areas to remain calm and peaceful. Nobody should resort to violence. In a democracy like India, resorting to violence would never help in finding a solution... All parties and stakeholders should resolve their differences and misunderstandings through dialogue in an amicable environmentRajnath Singh
Meanwhile, protests continued unabated seeing a massive turnout of people on the streets.
GJM Chief Responds to Mamata's Allegations
GJM chief Bimal Gurung on Sunday termed as “white lies” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim that the agitation in Darjeeling hills was supported by insurgent groups and asserted the struggle for a separate Gorkhaland state would be intensified.
The allegations are baseless. Mamata Banerjee is trying to mislead people. It is not a political fight but a fight for our own identity. We will not stop until and unless Gorkhaland is achieved. The struggle will intensify in the hills... if police tried to stop us, it will create trouble.Bimal Gurung
Mamata Calls Agitation a "Deep-Rooted Conspiracy"
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that the ongoing agitation in Darjeeling hills was a “deep-rooted conspiracy” supported by the insurgent groups of the Northeast and some foreign countries.
The GJM had rubbished the allegation made by Banerjee, saying that she was trying to malign the Gorkhas fighting for their identity.
The police, who have been on high alert after Saturday’s violence and arson, conducted route marches with the Army in several parts of the hills.
GJM to Hold Another Protest Rally
Darjeeling is bracing for another shutdown as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership has decided to hold a protest rally with the bodies of two persons allegedly killed during Saturday’s clashes.
The GJM has claimed that two of their supporters were shot by police in Singmari. Police rejected the allegations of firing by its personnel and said one person was killed during the clashes.
A senior GJM leader on Saturday said, “We will conduct the rally at Chowbazar with the bodies.”
Police have declined them the permission to hold such a rally. A senior police official said, “No one has been given permission to hold a rally in the hills.”