Two killed in police firing, vehicles torched in Darjeeling

Jalpaiguri/Darjeeling, Feb 8 (PTI) Two persons werekilled when police opened fire to stop Gorkha Janmukti Morchasupporters from taking out a march in Jalpaiguri districtviolating prohibitory orders, triggering unrest in Darjeelinghills where government vehicles and offices were set on fireby GJM workers.

Sub-divisional Officer of Malbazar DevjaniBhattacharjee said two persons were killed in police firing atShipchu inside a reserve forest.

Clashes erupted when the police dismantled illegaltemporary camps of the GJM built near Shipchu inside a reserveforest, IG (North Bengal) Ranbir Kumar said.

Soon after the police action, GJM supporters tried tomarch towards Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district whereprohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were in force.

When baton charge and lobbing of tear gas shellsfailed to control the situation, police fired seven rounds inwhich two persons were killed, ADG (law and order) SurajitKar Purakayastha said in Kolkata.

Police and CRPF had dismantled 25 such temporary campslocated in the forests, Kumar said.

Meanwhile, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said anindefinite bandh has been called in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district from today with a two-hourrecess for smooth passage of vehicles. .