JOIN USClashes broke out between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters and police on Friday in Darjeeling, ending a couple days of relative calm in the hills where an indefinite shutdown is continuing for nearly three months.
At least five police personnel sustained injuries after agitating Morcha supporters started pelting stones when the officers blocked their way near the Chowk Bazar area of Darjeeling.
The local GJM leadership said protest rallies are organised fairly regularly in support of their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland and most of the processions end up at the Chowk Bazar area.
“Today also a rally was planned in Chowk Bazar after the procession. When our supporters congregated at the spot, the police suddenly put up barricades and started chasing them. They resorted to indiscriminate baton charge and then started firing tear gas shells. This is nothing but a brazen attempt by the Bengal government to thwart our democratic movement. Acts like these will only vitiate the atmosphere in the hills,” said a senior GJM functionary over the phone.
Humayun Kabir, DIG (Darjeeling Range), however, rubbished the GJM’s allegations and said there was no permission sought by any party to hold processions or rallies in Darjeeling.
A group of GJM supporters had gathered near Chowk Bazar area and more were on the way.
The police objected to the gathering and the activists retreated to nearby alleys, only to start pelting stones at the security personnel, an official said.
The police had to resort to baton charge and lob tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
DH News Service