Darjeeling: To prevent arson, GJM picketers to be posted in all vulnerable areas

MP | 9 Aug 2017, Darjeeling: With incidents of arson continuing unabated in the Hills, the GJM has decided to post picketers in all vulnerable areas to check such incidents. 

The GJM claims that they have no hand in the incidents and it's an attempt by outside forces to malign the GJM. 

A GJM central committee meeting resolved that in order to make the ongoing bandh more effective and prevent miscreants from harassing people and committing crimes like arson, GJM picketers will be posted in all vulnerable areas in Darjeeling Kurseong, Mongpu, Kalimpong and Mirik. 

"We have earmarked vulnerable areas in Darjeeling Kurseong, Mongpu, Kalimpong and Mirik and will post picketers. Outside these earmarked points it will not be our responsibility. We have our picketers to ensure that vehicles and the public are not harassed in any way," stated Binay Tamang, Assistant Secretary, GJM. 

On Wednesday morning, a vehicle carrying newspapers from Siliguri to the Hills was torched at Zero Point on Rohini Road. 

In another incident, a truck carrying foodgrains and other essential commodities to Sikkim from Siliguri was torched near Hanuman-dhara on the National Highway 10 to Sikkim by masked men. Fingers were pointed at the GJM for both the incidents. The GJM, however, denied any involvement in both of them. 

It was decided that the ongoing Gorkhaland agitation will be further intensified after August 15. The GJM will be sending a high-level team to Delhi and North-East states where they will be meeting the MPs and Chief Ministers to seek support for Gorkhaland. 

The GJM will be taking out rallies in different parts of the Hills. The GJM will be holding "Tiranga Yatra" from August 9 to 15 in the Hills, Terai and Dooars with the slogan "Bengal quit the Hills". 

"These rallies will be brought out in the Hills, Terai, Dooars and also on the National Highway 55 connecting Siliguri to Darjeeling; NH10 connecting Siliguri with Gangtok, Sikkim," added Tamang. 

Meanwhile, police and the CRPF continued area domination and raids in Singamari, Patleybash areas. Though not wanting to divulge details, the security forces raided the house of Bimal Gurung along with the GJM party office at Patleybash, 8 km from Darjeeling town and a GJM stronghold.