- Fresh clashes break between police and GJM protesters in Singmari
- Police fired tear gas against protesters
- West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee calls the bandh ‘illegal’
- 1 officer severely injured, 2 protesters reportedly dead
- Army deployed in Chowk Bazaar in Darjeeling
Army Jawan Alive
While it was initially reported that the assistant commandant of the IRB 2nd battalion, Kiran Tamang, was killed by the protestors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clarified that the jawan was injured during the violence and has been taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The jawan is currently undergoing treatment at Anadloke Hospital in Siliguri, reported Darjeeling Chronicle with the video.
Violence-hit Darjeeling continued to simmer on Saturday as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)-sponsored indefinite shutdown entered the sixth day. Police raided and and allegedly vandalised the residence of party Assistant General Secretary Binay Tamang.
Speaking to the media, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the unrest, calling the demand for Gorkhaland “a deep-rooted conspiracy”, and called the bandh ‘illegal’.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Mamata Banerjee to discuss the situation in Darjeeling.
Banerjee questioned where the GJM got illegal arms and money from. She added that she was ready to reason with them, but cannot support any violation of the Constitution.
5 years you enjoyed, now when elections are coming you start violence because you have lost credentials.West Bengal CM
GJM Chief Claims Cadres Killed, Army Deployed
GJM chief Bimal Gurung on Saturday alleged that police illegally entered supporters’ house and tortured them, claiming two of his supporters’ lives.
He vowed that he would strengthen the demand for a separate state.
With fresh clashes breaking out between the police and the protesters on Saturday, the Army has been deployed in the violence-torn region.
‘Battlefield’ Darjeeling
The "Queen of Hills" virtually turned into a battlefield as protests marked the shutdown which was countered by supporters of Bengal's ruling the Trinamool Congress and dominant hill party, the GJM.
Widespread protests erupted in Singamari (northern point of Darjeeling) as the women’s wing of the GJM rallied with sloganeering against the raid at Tamang’s residence.
Houses of Tamang, Gurung Raided
At around 3 am, on Saturday, Tamang claimed his house was "raided and vandalised by the police and the Trinamool Congress cadres" in the same manner as they had raided party chief Bimal Gurung's house in Darjeeling district two days ago.
Tamang also claimed police arrested Vikram Rai, son of GJM MLA Amar Rai. Amar Rai said his son has no political affiliations.
We are shocked and stunned to inform you all that Vikram Rai – a local journalist – was arrested last night. Rai was associated with various media houses based in Kolkata and was also a stringer for a television channel. If local journalists are not safe in Darjeeling, who is? There is a virtual emergency imposed in Darjeeling region.Binay Tamang, Asst General Secretary, GJM
GJM supporters pelted stones and lobbed petrol bombs at the residence of Trinamool Congress activist Deoraj Gurung in Lebong Cart Road and attempted to set the house on fire, claimed Deoraj.
At Pankhabari, the picturesque tea gardens-lined but notoriously narrow road from Bagdogra airport to Kurseong, GJM supporters allegedly attacked a local Trinamool activist's residence.
A PWD (public works department) office at Bijonbari, was reportedly set on fire by GJM supporters.
Tourism Affected
The ongoing agitation has crippled tourism.
According to a railway official, the toy-train services of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has been suspended in view of the strike for the safety of passengers and staffs.
The GJM announced an indefinite general strike from Monday in the hills encompassing Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and the Dooars (foothills of the Himalayas covering stretches of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar district) protesting against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to make Bengali language compulsory in state-run schools.
The strike was called even as the Chief Minister give an assurance that the new rule would not be imposed in the hill districts.
(With inputs from IANS)
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