GJM shutdown: GTA office set on fire, panchayat office ransacked

Ei Samay | Jun 28, 2017, KOLKATA: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters allegedly set Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) engineering office on fire on Tuesday night. Several important documents and files turned into ashes in the incident.

The GJM on Wednesday, however, denied the allegation. The Morcha has plans to take out rallies and burn copies of the GTA accord on Wednesday.

The agitators also set ablaze Dhobitala Panchayet office of Bijanbari block and protested outside Darjeeling police station on the 14th day of the indefinite shutdown.

The Morcha is also using children in their protests, a move that was criticised by many groups. Several children joined the GJM rally in support of Gorkhaland demand.

GJM activists and pro-Gorkhaland supporters had also set fire to the house of the chairman of a development board in Kalimpong district on Monday night.

Internet ban has been extended in the Hills till July 4.

The police and security forces were patrolling the streets and keeping a tight vigil on all entry and exit routes.

Barring pharmacies, all shops, schools, colleges were closed and Internet services remained suspended.

The GTA agreement was signed by the Centre, the state government and the GJM in 2011 following a prolonged unrest in the hills.

The GJM asserted that its 45 members had resigned from the GTA last week and the administrative body had ceased to exist.

(With PTI inputs)

(Source & COurtesy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/gjm-shutdown-gta-office-set-on-fire-panchayat-office-ransacked/articleshow/59350794.cms )