Fresh violence, arson in Darjeeling; Rajnath Singh briefs PM Modi on situation

TOI, Ei Samay, 9 July 2017, NEW DELHI: Union home minister Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Darjeeling unrest on Sunday.

Singh spoke to the Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling regarding the security situation in Sikkim and areas neighbouring West Bengal. In a telephonic conversation, Pawan Kumar Chamling apprised the Union home minister that Sikkim is facing an acute shortage of supplies, mainly essential commodities such as medicines, baby milk powder, vegetables and petrol/diesel due to closure of the national highway, the critical road link to Sikkim.

GJM supporters set on fire the sub-divisional office in Kurseong and the Sonada police station. Morcha has decided to start Relay hunger strike in front of police stations and BDO offices in Hills from Wednesday.

Some local people have organised a rally against GJM and have shown protest against the demand of Gorkhaland. They burned the effigy of Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri. The image of this incident is attached herewith.

The picturesque Darjeeling hills have been on the boil since last month over a demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.