Sporadic violence fails to disrupt normal life in North Bengal

Amitava Banerjee | MP | 26 Sep 2018| Darjeeling: North Bengal was a witness to sporadic violence on Wednesday, with BJP calling a 12-hour state-wide bandh. 

However, life was normal in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hills, with the bandh evoking no response at all. 

Despite being an ally of BJP, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had earlier declared that they would not support the bandh. 

"Last year, during the agitation, 13 people had died in the Hills and yet the BJP remained a silent spectator. They did not utter a single word. They have never been sincere towards the Hills and have always indulged in vote bank politics. We will not support the BJP bandh. Darjeeling and Kalimpong have been declared as a strike-free zone," stated Binay Tamang, president, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. 

Meanwhile in the plains of the district, the day started off with shops and business establishments opening and vehicles plying normally. Later during the day, a BJP rally went around town, forcing shops to down shutters. A bus traveling from Cooch Behar to Siliguri was vandalised by bandh supporters. 

Throughout the day there were reports of sporadic violence from different areas of Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. 11 vehicles were vandalised. Stones were pelted on shops that were open. 

Around 90 persons were arrested from all over the Siliguri Police Commissionerate area. 

In Cooch Behar, state buses were vandalised. Police had to resort to firing tear gas shells in Mekhligunj. There were reports of sporadic violence in Malda as well.