Cops cry conspiracy in Hills....Police say Saturday’s violence shows there is a plan to disturb peace

THT, 30 Sep 2013, Darjeeling: The police, dubbing Saturday’s sporadic violence, “unwarranted for” alleged that a systematic conspiracy is being hatched by a group to disrupt peace and normalcy in the Darjeeling Hills. The state government has criticised the Centre for unilaterally withdrawing four companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at a crucial time when steps were being taken to restore peace and normalcy in the Hills.

“The Centre has illegally withdrawn four companies of paramilitary forces without any consultation with the state government at a time when we are trying to restore normalcy in the Hills. The police had taken necessary and prompt action against the alleged perpetrator, yet public property was torched and violence was unleashed in the Hills. We condemn such acts,” said North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb.

Darjeeling Hills had erupted following the alleged molestation of a 16-year-old student by one Arun Pramanik, a Rapid Action Force personnel at Ghoom Bhanjyang, around 18 km from Darjeeling town, on Saturday.

A demonstration by school students in uniform suddenly turned violent with the mob trying to torch a police van in front of the Darjeeling Sadar Thana.

Police resorted to lathcharge, and even fired in the air to disperse the mob hurling bricks, stones and bottles. Even petrol bombs were hurled from vantage points. Two North Bengal State Transport buses were torched in Darjeeling town and Kalimpong. A mob also tried to torch the police outpost at Singamari on the fringes of the town.

“All this was unwarranted for as the police had taken all necessary action immediately against the RAF personnel in question. The RAF personnel in question was arrested and as per FIR lodged by the victim’s family, Prmanik was charged. Despite prompt police action, a law and order situation was created,” said Javed Shamim, Special IG, Darjeeling.

The police feel that the situation went out of control because of rumours of rape being circulated with an intention of creating trouble. The police called the heads of institutions and asked them to abstain from sending students to demonstrations.