DARJEELING HILLS: GJM goes in strike mode again, Hills head for fresh trouble

FROM INDIAN EXPRESS

Even as the Darjeeling Hills head for yet another indefinite shutdown from Monday, called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha over the police action against its supporters, the GJM’s ally BJP indicated that the party would support the bandh call.

“The strike has been called by our partner. We have nothing to say on this,” BJP leader Dawa Sherpa, who was initially touted to get the LS ticket from Darjeeling, said.

Trouble broke out in Panighata near Kurseong town on July 8 when a group of GJM supporters attacked the residence of local GNLF leader Rajen Mukhia over some differences. Following a complaint lodged by Mukhia, police arrested three GJM supporters. On July 10, a large mob of GJM supporters went on rampage and set ablaze Mukhia’s residence. Unable to control the GJM men, police resorted to lathi-charge and hurled shells of tear gas.

Protesting the police action, the GJM leadership has called for an indefinite shutdown beginning on Monday and demanded the transfer of IGP (north Bengal) K L Tamta and action against Additional Superintendent of Police (headquarters) Akhilesh Chaturvedi and Kurseong SDPO Rajesh Singh. The GJM also demanded the arrest of Mukhia and 34 GNLF supporters.

Till late on Sunday evening, GJM leaders remained engaged in a meeting. Party general secretary Roshan Giri said there was no question of calling off the bandh. “ We want the removal of Tamta, Chaturvedi and Singh. We’ve set a deadline of Monday afternoon. If our demands are not met, the indefinite strike will begin for the separate Gorkhaland,” Giri said.

To appease the GJM, the Darjeeling police arrested Mukhia and two others on Saturday.

The GNLF, however, said the strike call had nothing to do with the demand for a separate Gorkhaland. The GNLF MLA from Kurseong, Shanta Chettri, said the GJM was trying to politicise the issue. “The GJM had some disagreement with us over the application for a government tender. It is an open tender and anyone can apply. Some of our supporters had done so. Now, the whole issue is being given a political hue by the GJM. We’re also for Gorkhaland but this issue has nothing to do with the Gorkhaland,” Chettri said.

CPM MLA from Siliguri Asok Bhattacharya said the demands of the GJM were absurd. “How can the GJM demand the transfer of a police officer? Transfers are done by the government. They (GJM) are trying to create unrest in the Hills again,” Bhattacharya said.

DM Surendra Gupta said the arrested persons had been remanded in judicial custody till July 24. “All shops are open and people were busy buying food rations and other essentials in preparation of the bandh. The government has not given any instructions to tourists and students to leave the Hills,” Gupta said.