5 police personnel injured, TMC office set on fire

MP |  5 July 2017  |  Darjeeling: Clashes broke out between police and Morcha supporters in Kalimpong on the 21st day of Darjeeling bandh on Wednesday. Five police personnel were severely injured in the clashes. 

Morcha supporters set ablaze a TMC office and North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) ticket counter. The Morcha supporters rallied on Wednesday throughout the Hills and the leaders threatened to intensify the protest until their demand for separate Gorkhaland is fulfilled, as per media reports.

In the morning, the routine GJM rally had taken to the streets in Kalimpong and made its way from Dambar Chowk to the 10th Mile area. 

On reaching the 10th Mile area, the rally allegedly torched the Trinamool Congress party office and attacked the security personnel posted in the area. Stones and bricks were pelted on the police. The standoff continued for nearly an hour. 

The cops, in turn, baton-charged and burst tear gas shells. The Morcha supporters then torched a North Bengal State Transport Office located at the Kalimpong Motor Stand. Tires were burnt in the thoroughfares of Kalimpong town.

"Three of our supporters were critically injured in police firing," alleged Binay Tamang, assistant general secretary, GJM. 

Refuting the allegations, Ajit Kumar Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong, stated: "The police did not resort to firing. The police burst tear gas shells. Five policemen were injured." 

Meanwhile, the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) held a massive rally in Darjeeling on Wednesday rejecting the 6th Schedule and demanding Gorkhaland. 

GNLF president Mann Ghising addressed the GNLF rally at the Clubside in Darjeeling. "6th Schedule is like an expired medicine. It should not be consumed. We have discarded the 6th Schedule demand. We have come out for Gorkhaland and will not retract," declared Ghising. 

Seeking immediate intervention of the Central government in the ongoing Darjeeling impasse, Ghising warned: "Already 21 days of bandh have passed; the Hills are burning; agitators are dying yet the Centre is silent. The Centre should not ignore the Darjeeling issue. Situation is highly volatile and could get out of hand." 

Ghising's suggestion to the GLMCC (a conglomeration of pro-Gorkhaland forces) stated: "Form a core committee and depart for Delhi immediately. Meet the Government of India and hold dialogues for Gorkhaland." 

The GLMCC will be meeting in Pedong, 22km from Kalimpong town on Thursday at noon. Key TMC Hill leaders including Hill TMC working president N B Khawas and Hill TMC vice-president Karishma Giri resigned from the party on Wednesday. "They have tendered their resignations," stated TMC spokesperson Binny Sharma.