Demand for CBI inquiry into girl student murder in Siliguri, Bengal Guv’s intervention : Total shutdown in hills, silent candle rallies

The 12-hour bandh had a wide impact in the Kalimpong district. No taxi or any other vehicle was on the road. Despite protests from the Chalak MahaSangh, the motor stand was empty. The Gorkha Seva Sena said the strike was to raise the voice of all Gorkhas, demanding justice for the victim. – YOWAN MOTHAY 

EOI, DARJEELING,  26 AUGUST 2023 :  The hills of Darjeeling experienced a shutdown on Saturday and silent candle rallies were organized in solidarity with the school girl who was murdered in Matigara near Siliguri on August 21, a crime that has sent shock waves across the region. 

The towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik wore a deserted look as people observed a day- long strike to protest and demand strict punishment for the murder accused who had already been arrested by the Siliguri police and was in police custody. 

Shops, business establishments, markets downed their shutters and public vehicles were kept off the road across the hill towns. 

The strike was supported by political parties like the Hamro Party, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Gorkha National Liberation Front, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists and a number of social organizations. 

The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking the constitution of a special court to expedite the trial of the case. 

"We demand swift and effective action for the delivery of justice for the victim girl and her family. We want the State Government to take immediate steps to constitute a special court to expedite the trial for this murder case at least within the period of six months, with an exemplary punishment," said BGPM general secretary Amar Lama. 

Seeking a CBI inquiry, BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista has sought the intervention of West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose. "People do not have faith and trust on the Bengal police as they are directed by Nabanna. People are not satisfied even though the accused has been arrested. I have requested the Bengal Governor to intervene to set up a CBI inquiry," he said. 

In the evening various non- government organizations under the banner of Stronger Together organized a silent rally from the Darjeeling railway station to Chowrasta. The participants were all dressed in black and also had armbands to protest against the gruesome murder. They lit candles to pay respect to the girl child. 

"We organized the rally in solidarity with the victim and her family. We do not want such a heinous incident to occur again. We demand justice for the victim and the family and want the most stringent punishment for the accused to set an example," said Purna Kala Mukhia, a member of one of the NGOs. 

Senior officials of the Darjeeling district administration said the situation was peaceful throughout the day. There was no report of any untoward incidents