DGP wants peace back in the hills....Surajit Kar Purkayastha warned that police would not allow destructive activities

SNS, 27 July 2017, Siliguri: Director General of Police (DGP) West Bengal, Surajit Kar Purkayastha today appealed to agitators in the Hills to restore peace. He also said the police would not allow any destructive activity and not spare anyone who indulges in violence.

The DGP and senior police officers visited the Darjeeling Hills and the Dooars in the past few days and reviewed the law and order situation, given the indefinite shutdown called in support of the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland. There have been incidents of large-scale violence and arson in the Hills, nine persons have lost their lives in the protests in alleged police firing, while several government (establishments, police vehicles, and heritage buildings have either been torched or vandalised.

Kar Purkayastha held meetings with police officers and administration officials during his visit.

Talking to reporters at the Bagdogra airport here today, the state police chief said the situation of the Hills was 'alright.'

"I visited Mirik:, Darjeeling and Dooars We held administrative meetings during the visit and met police officers who are posted here to review the overall situation. The situation of the Hills is alright. We appeal to all to restore peace and there should be no violence. We are with the peace-loving people and we will support them. We are taking legal steps against those who are violating the law and indulging in violence. Law will take its own course, those who are involved in violence will not be spared," he said before leaving for Kolkata.

The state government has recently created two posts of senior police officers Inspector General of Police (IGP), Darjeeling, and 'IGP traffic, North Bengal to monitor the situation of the Hills.