Siliguri shutdown leaves no impact, no fresh violence in hills

Siliguri, June 12 : A 48-hour shutdown in Siliguri called by two organisations opposed to Gorkhaland on Thursday had little impact as no fresh violence was reported between Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) and its rival organisations in and around the hills.

The Amra Bangali and Bangla Bhasa Bachaon Committee called the shutdown to protest against the demand for Gorkhaland raised by the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM).

The CPI-M and the Congress opposed the shutdown.

Three Darjeeling-bound Lorries were stopped by a section of locals at Jhankar More in the heart of Siliguri town on Wednesday night.

GJM activists attacked tourists and policemen injuring 28 persons and damaged 16 vehicles on Wednesday evening at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district, prompting the authorities to impose Section 144 in Malbazar.

GJMM comprising about half a dozen parties, has been organizing protests over the past few months in the Darjeeling hills demanding action for a separate Gorkhaland state. The group had revived the demand for Sixth schedule status while the GJMM, a breakaway faction of the GNLF, opposes it demanding full-fledged statehood. The West Bengal Government has been resisting the demands for a separate state for the Gorkhas.

ANI