Gorkhaland agitation: GJM activists set Darjeeling traffic police outpost on fire

Darjeeling: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists on Monday set fire to a traffic police outpost and a flat belonging to the electric supply board on day 33 of the indefinite shutdown.

Supporters of the GJM and other hill parties also staged a sit-in outside the district magistrate office here demanding a separate state and restoration of internet services in the hills.

Officials said a traffic police outpost in Mirik and a flat of the electric supply board in Bijanbari were set on fire by GJM activists.

However, there were no reports of any casualty, they said.

Army troops continued to maintain a vigil on Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sonada. Paramilitary and police personnel also patrolled the streets in the hills.

Except pharmacy, all the other shops, restaurants, hotels, schools and colleges remained closed.

With food supply severely hit due to the ongoing strike, GJM activists and NGOs of the hills were seen distributing food items among people.

“We will continue our protest till we get Gorkhaland. We are not afraid of the West Bengal government and its police. Every youth in the hills is ready to give their blood for the sake of Gorkhaland,” Prakash Gurung, GJM Yuva Morcha president, said.