Jawan's 'act' brings Hills to a 12-hour standstill

ENS, Kolkata, Sep 30 2013: The Hills Sunday bore a deserted look after a 12-hour bandh, called in protest against the alleged molestation of a school student by a Rapid Action Force jawan, brought down the shutters at local shops and schools. 

Even though the bandh went peaceful, sources in the police say over 100 people have been arrested since last night. Of the lot, 69 were arrested for rioting, while others, including a Morcha leader, Jyoti Prakash Rai, who was later granted bail, were arrested for warrants previously held against them. 

North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb said: "We are against all kinds of bandhs. The police have arrested 125 people, although some have been granted bail. On the rampage that followed the alleged incident of molestation, Deb said "the accused were arrested within an hour". 

"What more can they do? Burning vehicles and destroying public property is totally uncalled for. We will have to investigate whether such an incident (of molestation) took place at all," he said. Saturday, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly molested by an RAF constable near a checkpost under Darjeeling Jorebunglow Station area. 

As the girl was passing the spot, the constable tried to pull her towards him by grabbing her hand. When she started shouting, the locals gathered and beat the constable up before handing him over to the cops. 

Roads were later blocked at various places with the police having to resort to lathi charge to disperse the mob.