Violence in Kalimpong.., 9 injured

KalimNews, 5 July 2017, Kalimpong: Today Kalimpong town turned violent with fire, smoke and tear gas shells. 

Miscreants torched TMC Office in 10 Mile and NBSTC office in Motor Stand. 3 GJM supporter and 6 police  personnel were injured during the clash between the police force and the protestors. Protestors also torched tyres in main road.

It is alleged that tension started after youth rally of GJYM passed by the incident site and some miscreants tried to ransack and torch TMC Office of Kalimpong located in 10 Mile in the building where UBKGB bank is located. Miscreants torched a liquor shop and Wai Wai shop in the same building in which the TMC office is located in the 4th floor. They also attacked the police by pelting stones. 
GJM supporters have alleged that the chaos started after some people were hurt by stones thrown from the building where the TMC office is located. Agitated youths then targeted the building and the violence erupted said a GJP supporter. But local residents stated denied the allegation.

According to police sources when GJM supporters in a procession was passing by it, some from the group attacked the police patrol stationed near the building by hurling stones and targeted the building by hurling petrol bombs and tried to torch the building. The police patrol guarding the office was outnumbered by the attackers and they were successful in torching and destroying a liquor shop and Wai Wai shop situated in the same building. 

The fire was doused by the police and local public but on the process of trying to stop the fire some people started pelting stones upon the police force which forced the police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets said, Ajit Singh Yadav SP of Kalimpong police. GJMM has accused police of firing 7.65 bullet.

The pelting of stones continued for more than an hour and even the reporters were trapped in between the police force and the stone pelters.  3 GJM supporters and 6 police personnel were injured in the tussle. 

A police constable also was  trapped but locals rescued him giving shelter and later was escorted to the police station safely.

Miscreants also torched a ticket counter and office of NBSTC Kalimpong Depot situated at Motor Stand in a 2 storied building. Two fire engines successfully extinguished the fire. The three GJM supporters having rubber bullet injuries on their head, thigh and calf are shifted from SD Hospital Kalimpong to other hospital. Of the six police personnel 4 are now admitted in SD Hospital with stone injuries while 2 were released after first aid.