Darjeeling unrest: Pro-Gorkhaland supporters clash with police

Violence again erupted in the Darjeeling hills after weeks of relative peace. As pro-Gorkhaland supporters’ indefinite strike entered the 45th day, they clashed with police near Sukna area on Saturday.

Pro-Gorkhaland supporters armed with knives, swords and traditional Khukri, forcibly tried to enter Siliguri with the demand that Siliguri be included in the proposed Gorkhaland, according to Darjeeling district administration sources.

Road blocks were put up by the police near the Sukna road crossing. They also asked the protestors to go back. However, the protestors broke the first two barricades and pelted stones at the police. Water cannons and mild baton were used by the police to disperse and stop the crowd from getting more violent.

ALSO READ | GJM hunger strike: Mamata Banerjee government issues notice to agitators in Darjeeling

However, the protesters turned violent and set afire some vehicles parked nearby. The pro-Gorkhaland supporters are presently organising a sit-in demonstration on the Sukna-Siliguri road.

The GJM leadership has claimed that the police have resorted to firing which was denied by the district administration. A huge contingent of police and security forces has moved to the area to control the situation.

Normal life remained crippled in the Darjeeling hills due to the ongoing indefinite strike to press for separate Gorkhaland state. Barring medicine shops, business establishments, restaurants, hotels, schools and colleges remained closed.

With PTI inputs.

ALSO READ: Gorkha Janamukti Morcha to launch underground arm-struggle, hire foreign Maoists for militia-training, says West Bengal Police