Govt properties vandalized, torched

EOI, Darjeeling, 2 August 2013: Following the announcement of a separate Telengana state, the Darjeeling Hills is on the boil once more with reports of vandalism and arson of government properties coming from various places in the region.

The Tukdah forest guest house was torched by unidentified miscreants on Thursday night. A similar attempt, though unsuccessful, was made on the Rimbick guest house and range office.

Fire tenders and the forest protection committee managed to douse the flames that destroyed a VIP room and dining hall of the guest house.

The torching of the guest house is symbolic as chief minister Mamata Banerjee had stayed at the Tukdah guest house during the “friendship” days with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. “I was informed about some miscreants setting fire to the Tukdah guest
house at around 12.30am last night. I informed the fire brigade and the police station immediately and reached the guest house. A VIP room and dining hall have been completely damaged, but we managed to save the remaining infrastructure,” said Darjeeling DFO BR Sewa.

“A similar attempt was made on our range office and guest house in Rimbick. But our officers and staff members managed to put out the fire in time,” said the DFO. Complaints have been lodged against unidentified miscreants at the Rungli-Rangliot and Rimbick-Lodhoma police stations.

Further, a constable on duty at the Pokhraybong police camp received burn injuries while trying to save the outpost that was ravaged to the ground. Bir Mani Baraily has been admitted to hospital, while another constable fled the spot. An SI and two constables were posted at the police camp.

Meanwhile, a GJM youth activist was found murdered in Phoobsering under the Darjeeling sadar police station this morning. The victim has been identified as Saroj Tamang, a GJM youth leader from the area. The murder suspicion is on Sangram Thakuri, a TMC activist.

Police said one person has been arrested in connection with the torching of the police camp at Pokhraybong.  “We have received reports of vandalism and arson and raids are on to nab the culprits. However, we have arrested one person in connection with the torching of the police camp who has confessed to the crime. We are interrogating him to find out the reasons and if he had more accomplices,” said Darjeeling SP Kunal Agarwal.

Miscreants also torched a private vehicle that was being used by the NHPC officials at Mungpo. The state government, which is opposed to any division of Bengal, has made it clear it would not tolerate any kind of disturbance and is not backing out from confronting the GJM.

It has already dispatched five companies of the Central Reserve Police Force to the Hills and they are expected here by Friday evening. This is in addition to the existing 16 platoons of the RAF, IRB and SSF.
It is also reported that Forest Guest house of Mongpong where Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee use to stay was also torched.