Arrest of women GJM activists triggers siege of local court

A deserted motor stand near Planters Club on the second day of indefinite bandh in Darjeeling on Sunday. Subham Dutta

IE, Darjeeling,August 05 2013: Police arrested 16 Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders, including four activists of the party's women outfit, in Darjeeling on Sunday — the second day of the indefinite bandh in the hill district — for blocking roads and stopping government vehicles.

The arrests led to the gherao of local police station and the court by hundreds of GJM supporters demanding separate state of Gorkhaland. Central paramilitary personnel had to be deployed at the court premises. The court, later, granted bail to the four women activists.

In a separate incident, GJM supporters set ablaze a passenger vehicle on NH-31A at Kalijhora in Kalimpong sub-division.

GJM president Bimal Gurung, meanwhile, said there was no question of backtracking from the agitation and added that the government offices will not be allowed to function. "If police open fire at us, we will bear the bullets. We have already lost one of our activists to the cause of Gorkhaland. Now, we cannot backtrack from the movement," said Gurung referring to the death of Mangal Singh Rajput, who had set himself on fire on July 30 and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. His body was brought to Darjeeling today.

No Eid festivity in the hills

Extending their support to the GJM's movement for a separate Gorkhaland state, the Muslim community in Darjeeling on Sunday announced they would not celebrate Eid this year. Of 9.5 lakh population in Darjeeling, at least 1 lakh belong to the minority community.

'All Darjeeling residents should raise demand'

Darjeeling: GJM chief Bimal Gurung Sunday said all residents of Darjeeling should participate in Gorkhaland movement. Gurung, who quit as chief executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to press for statehood, said more supporters would hit the streets and hold pickets from Monday. The West Bengal government has already issued orders to state government employees in the hills to attend duties or face salary deductions and loss of seniority. Five CRPF companies comprising 500 personnel are deployed in the hills.