GJM calls indefinite strike in Darjeeling hills

IANS, Darjeeling, May 5: The GJM Sunday called for an indefinite strike in the Darjeeling Hills of northern West Bengal, demanding the removal of a police official and arrest of the rival GNLF activists for "attacking" its members.

"We have informed the government, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the police top brass that unless and until the officer is suspended and the GNLF miscreants are arrested, there will be an indefinite strike in the hills," said Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) general secretary Roshan Giri.

Activists from the GJM and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) clashed earlier Sunday during a public rally in Mirik in the district. Police resorted to baton charge to control the melee. Two people were injured in the clash.

KalimNews: During the police lathi charge GTA member Arun Shinji and Phubi Rai are injured and admitted in hospital. GJM has alleged that they were mercilessly beaten by the CRPF in Soureni.

Later in the evening Roshan Giri added that in view of the tourism season the strike is suspended till tomorrow 6 pm which is the deadline for conditions laid down by the GJM to the government.  The conditions are immediate transfer of OC of Mirik Thana and arrest of GNLF cadres.

The general strike was called to start from 1.30 pm and later at about 4pm the suspension of the strike was again announced by the party.

PTI, Darjeeling, Apr 5 : Five persons, including two policemen, were injured when police tried to disperse two clashing groups of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha and Gorkha National Liberation Front in Sourini area near Mirik today. 

The clash between supporters of the two groups took place over the issue of hoisting their respective party flags, injuring three GJM supporters, police said. 

As police intervened to disperse the clashing groups, they were attacked in which two policemen were injured. All the injured were admitted to the North Bengal Medical College Hospital.