Candlelight rally in Darjeeling to pay homage to Madan Tamang

Darjeeling, May 23 (ANI): Residents of Darjeeling staged a candlelight rally to protest the killing of All India Gorkha League president Madan Tamang.

Saturday's march began from the Chawkbazar and ended at the place where Tamang was stabbed. The rallyists sought restoration of peace and tranquillity in the region.

"We are staging a silent protest with lit-candles. Whatever is happening is not good. It is not good for Darjeeling. So we want to save Darjeeling," said Reshmi, a protestor.

The police have arrested over 18 people so far in connection with the killing of Tamang.amang was killed allegedly by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) supporters in Darjeeling on Friday.

According to sources, Tamang, who led the anti-GJM front in the Darjeeling Hills, was hit with a kukri (long knife used by Nepalis).

Meanwhile, a shutdown has begun in the three Darjeeling Hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong after the incident.

Vehicles in Darjeeling went off the roads, while shops and markets were closed.

Tamang, a vocal opponent of the GJM, recently opposed the GJM's stand on an interim set-up for Darjeeling Hills and demanded Gorkhaland instead. (ANI)