Army alerted after clashes break out on Gorkha state issue

Siliguri, Jun 12 (UNI) Army was alerted today as clashes between pro and anti-Gorkhaland supporters flared up in different parts of Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, IGP, North Bengal, K L Tamta said.

He said at least nine policemen including Additional SP, Siliguri, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, were injured in stone throwing by the rival supporters.

Reports of clashes occurred at nepali dominated Bhaghajatin colony, Champasari, Bhanunagar and Pradhannagar in Siliguri and Nagrakkata in Jalpaiguri district.

A report from Nagrakkata said five tourists were betaen up today by pro-Gorkhaland supporters prompting the local administration to ponder over deployment of Army there.

Mr Tamta said a meeting was convened between local administration and army later this evening to review the situation in North Bengal on the issue of Gorkhaland demand and its opposition.

Section 144 Cr PC was clamed at Pradhannagar after clashes broke out between the rival supporters.

Meanwhile, the 48-hour Siliguri bandh called by Amra Bangalee to protest the Gorkhaland agitation cripped normal life in this commrcial town since dawn.

Economic blockade to Darjeeling hills sponsored Jana Jagaran also crippled traffic to uphills.

Meanwhile, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha secretary Roshan Giri today lambasted the state government saying that democracy was at the crossroad in West Bengal. He alleged that the administration was using force to finish democratic movement of the hill people for having a separate state.

UNI XC PC RN1513