Vehicle set on fire on NH-31A... violence, vandalism mark day 1 of 72-hour bandh...gjmm activist’s self immolation bid foiled; traffic on key highway disrupted

SNS, Gangtok, 29 July 2013: The three-day Darjeeling Hill shutdown as convened by the GJMM demanding Gorkhaland has impacted the neighbouring state of Sikkim on the first day today. 

A vehicle from Sikkim was allegedly set ablaze by the GJMM picketers on National Highway-31A, connecting Sikkim with West Bengal. A vehicle, bearing number SK-01 J 2560, was torched by the protestors along with a motor cycle at Bhotey Bhir near Rambi on the Highway, police informed. This is despite the fact that the GJMM leadership decided to keep NH-31 A outside the purview of the bandh. 

In consultation with the Darjeeling district administration, the Sikkim police have been deployed along the Highway to prevent any kind of blockade or arson during the period of the bandh. This is done in view of the possibility of the stir spilling over on the NH-31A, given the experience of the previous years.

It is learnt that following the arson on the Highway, the Sikkim administration is keeping in touch with its counterpart in the Hills of Bengal. 

The District Collector, Mr A K Singh, informed that 40 vehicles have reached Siliguri town safely under the protection of the West Bengal police. He informed that they are in constant touch with the Darjeeling district magistrate, Mr Soumitra Mohan. 

The Superintendent of Police, Mr Manoj Tiwari, said: “The vehicles that were set ablaze had left early in the morning before 5 a.m. when the police were not deployed on the NH-31A”. 

He added that the highway is now being guarded by the Bengal police personnel and the vehicles from Sikkim are being escorted by them to ensure safety of the passengers. He further informed that the traffic flow has returned to normalcy. 

SNS, Darjeeling, 29 July 2013: The first day of the three-day Hill shutdown convened by the GJMM in the areas under the GTA in support of Gorkhaland was marked with stray incidents of arson. 

A self-immolation bid by a GJMM youth front activist was foiled in Darjeeling. 

Two vehicles were torched under Kalimpong sub-division, leading to disruption of traffic flow along the National Highway-31 A, the lifeline of Sikkim, for some time. 

In Darjeeling, an altercation ensued after some GJMM activists tried to stop the vehicle of the Darjeeling Superintendent of Police, Mr Kunal Agarwal and other police vans at Chowk Bazaar in Darjeeling town. 

Tension prevailed as a youth cadre of the party attempted self-immolation by sprinkling kerosene on his body while shouting slogans for Gorkhaland. Other activists foiled the bid in the nick of time. 

Security was tightened particularly at the district magistrate’s office and a few other state government offices in view of the bandh. The Darjeeling taxi stand wore a deserted look. Shops, commercial establishments and educational institutions were closed. 

Work at different departments under the GTA remained suspended. 

Despite the assurance given by the GJMM general secretary, Mr Roshan Giri that traffic along the road would not be affected during the bandh, the contrary happened during the day. 

A vehicle was also vandalised at Dambar Chowk in Kalimpong today. Six cases of vandalism, highway blockages, blocking police vans and picketing have been slapped, said the SP, Darjeeling, Mr Kunal Agarwal. 

“Such incidents have occurred in places like Kalimpong, Rampu, Sukhia, Mirik and Darjeeling,” he added. 

“The arrested ones are from Rampu where a van and a motorbike were vandalised at Rampu on the National Highway-31 A,” said Mr Agarwal. 

“They were booked under the National Highway Act. Their bail plea was rejected. The accused are in judicial custody,” he added. 

Mr Agarwal further said one more platoon of women force would be deployed in Darjeeling. Fourteen platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF), Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Special Striking Force (SSC) have been deployed in the Hills. 

“The helpline numbers are 100 and 0354-2254203 and are operative round the clock,” he said.