GJM party office in Darjeeling torched houses vandalised...Police indicates intra-party rivalry

MP |  10 Aug 2017 | Darjeeling: It was the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha pointing fingers at the police and security forces for allegedly torching a GJM party office in Darjeeling town and vandalising houses belonging to GJM leaders on Thursday. 

The GJM's town committee office which is located at a stone's throw distance from the Darjeeling Sadar police station in the Chowk Bazar was torched in the wee hours of Thursday. The office is located on the first floor of the two-storeyed structure which houses a post office in the ground floor.

Furniture, stationary along with documents were gutted in the fire. "It is the handiwork of the police. They want to create a rift between the political parties including the GJM, GNLF, JAP and others in a conspiracy to derail the ongoing joint movement for Gorkhaland. Thus, they have torched the GJM party office and even the vehicle carrying newspaper on Wednesday," alleged Binita Roka, Spokesperson, GJM.

Roka alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led government in a bid to thwart the ongoing agitation is trying to arrest GJM President Bimal Gurung who is spearheading the movement. She gave a clarion call to the public to remain united and foil any such conspiracy. The police have, however, refuted the allegations. "The police have nothing to do with the fire. We are investigating the case. The culprits will be booked," stated a police top brass. The police feel the fire is the outcome of rivalry within the GJM. 

"There are many in the GJM who are unhappy with the ongoing strike. Such disgruntled groups could have done this," added the police officer. The ongoing indefinite bandh hit the 57 day mark on Thursday. Protestors sitting in a fast unto death in Darjeeling that touched the 21 day mark were administered intravenous fluids and oxygen. 

Meanwhile, Mahendra Pradan, GJM leader and former GTA member of the Sonada Pachyang constituency alleged that his house along with the houses of three Youth Morcha activists were vandalised by the CRPF and IRB on Thursday morning. 

"At around 10.30 am when we were out attending the rally, my house along with the houses of Amrit Pradhan, Vavhindra Rai and Deven Rai were vandalised by the CRPF and IRB. My elderly parents were also threatened. We have lodged an FIR to this effect at the Sonada police station," claimed Pradhan. Security forces continued area domination and raids in the Singamari and Patleybash area on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, a vehicle carrying newspapers was torched below Zero Point area on Rohini Road on Wednesday, while other vehicles carrying newspapers did not ply to Darjeeling on Thursday. 

Srijana Tamang, a GJM supporter who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the July 8 clashes, was produced at the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Siliguri on Thursday. She was remanded to 5 days' police custody.