Army deployed in Darjeeling as GJM protest turns violent

Ei Samay | Jun 8, 2017, KOLKATA: The Army was deployed in the restive Darjeeling town today after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters indulged in violence and arson while attempting to march to the venue of a cabinet meeting presided by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The troops were brought in after the protesters damaged police vehicles and set some of them ablaze, prompting the police to fire teargas and lathicharge the violent GJM supporters who are opposing "imposition" of Bengali language in schools in the hills.

"Morcha supporters are setting government property on fire. So far five police jeeps, a government (NBSTC) bus and a total of 12 cars have been torched by the protesters, " a senior police officer said, adding, "We had to lathi charge and fire tear gas shells after protesters resorted to stone-pelting."

"About 50 policemen including DIG Rajesh Yadav, ADG North Bengal, and SP of Darjeeling Amit Javalgi were injured, " he said".

One police constable was seriously injured after stone struck in his eye, police said.

GJM protests started after it lost to TMC in the last civic polls and it was after three decades any party from plain area has formed board at Mirik. This didn't go well with the GJM and launched campaign against Mamata Banerjee's party.

The GJM is demanding a separate state for Gorkhas, which they call Gorkhaland. GJM also dubbed the government's policy as a forceful imposition of the Bengali language.

Meanwhile, GJM has called for strike on Friday and have also asked tourists to leave the hills before six in the morning or after six in the evening.

Following protests, Mamta Banerjee has called for meeting over state government's proposal of making Bengali language compulsory in schools. She has also extended her stay in the hills.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee chaired state cabinet meeting in the hills (Darjeeling) after 45 years. Darjeeling also happens to be the summer capital of the state.

Few months ago Mamata was deadly against army! Now this scam queen terrorist woman wants army to control the situation? Cleanup India.

Report: Sanjoy Chakraborty, Tapas Pramanick