Sashastra Seema Bal to be deployed; Bandh cripples life in Siliguri

Kolkata/Siliguri, June 12 (UNI) West Bengal Home Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakravarty today stated that the Army would not be deployed and instead two companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SBB) would man Siliguri and its adjoining areas following escalating ethnic violence over the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha's (GJM) Gorkhaland demand.

'' Army will not be deployed, but two companies of SSB will take charge to ease the situation,'' Mr Chakrevarty here said.

Jalpaiguri Divisional Commissioner B L Meena also said a meeting was conducted in the Circit House to assess the situation in which it was decided that two companies of SSB would be deployed as the situation was by and large under control.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CR PC had been promulgated in four police station and one police post areas, including Champasari, Baghajatin colony, Bhanunagar, Pradhanagar and Mahanada bridge, Mr Meena informed.

Besides additional forces, Siliguri Emergency Force and Rapid Action Force (RAF) were patrolling the sensitive areas, he said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee ordered deployment of the Army.

Mr Bhattacharjee said the Government had called an all-party meeting at the state secretariat on June 17 to look for a way to end the stalemate over the renewed demand for a Gorkhaland by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM).

The situation aggravated after the GJM activists clashed with the local people, roughed up tourists, set afire a vehicle and blocked roads in the plains.

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