An ASI sustains Khukri attack in Darjeeling, shutdown enters 22nd day in Hills

UNI, Darjeeling/Siliguri, Jul 3, 2017: An ASI was today sustained assault with kukri by unidentified miscreants in Darjeeling town and elsewhere suspected Gorkha activists set afire a police vehicle at 6th Mile, and police arrested 4 GJM supporters for arson as shutdown in hills for statehood demand entered 22nd day, official sources said. 

Assistant sub-inspector Manzil Rai, who had gone into an eatery at Old Super market this evening was assaulted with sharp weapon by some unidentified miscreants. The cop was admitted to a local hospital with three cuts on his head. The police official was recently posted in Darjeeling from Khoribari following violence in the hills. Police said the investigation was on to determine the attack on the cop was personal or political one. He had gone there to have dinner. 

Meanwhile, the district administration extended another eight day ban on using the internet and TV channels. 

Suspected Gorkha activists torched Kami development board in Kalimpong last night and unidentified miscreants using petrol bomb set ablaze a parked police van at 6th Mile in Darjeeling around 0100 hours. 

Policemen of 6th Mile outpost had parked the 4-wheeler but early this morning found the charred van and with broken glass bottle around it hinting petrol bombs were sued for arson. 

Police arrested four GJM supporters at Kurseong on Sunday, accused of setting afire three fire brigade vans on Saturday. The authorities of schools and colleges in the hills extended summer vacation due to ongoing prevailing political uncertainty and increasing of violent incidents in the hills . 

Many boarding schools and colleges were scheduled to reopen on July 4 but now the authorities preferred wait and watch, especially looking at July 6 all -party meeting on the issue of movement. 

Besides shops and businesses totally stopped and vehicular traffic off the roads, essential commodities and fuel have been in scarcity. 

Telecom communication was almost out of order for past three weeks, especially after the administration banned using internet and TV channels since June 21. 

There was only two NBSTC buses plied between Siliguri and Kalimpong. NBSTC divisional manager Dipankar Dutta said due to fear no driver or conductor was willing to ply buses towards hills. 

A report said due to absence of transport many government staff can not join their new posting in Darjeeling hills. 

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri today said their indefinite strike to go on unless the Central government convened a tripartite meeting on issue of separate state for Gorkhas. " We are insure in the hands of West Bengal government and our future lies in our Gorkhaland state," Mr Giri said.