GJM allege security forces behind torching party office, vandalising houses

Darjeeling, August 10, 2017: In a twist of events, Thursday saw the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha pointing fingers at the police and security forces for allegedly torching a GJM party office in Darjeeling town and vandalizing houses of GJM leaders.

The GJM's town committee office located in Chowk Bazar, at a stone's throw distance from the Darjeeling Sadar Police Station was torched in the wee hours of Thursday. The office is located on the first floor of a two storied structure that houses a post office in the ground floor.

The fire reduced furniture, stationary and documents to ashes. "The office was torched by the police and CRPF. It is a conspiracy to derail the ongoing movement for Gorkhaland by creating rifts between pro Gorkhaland outfits." alleged Binita Roka, Spokesperson, GJM.

Roka further alleged that the West Bengal Government on the direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trying to arrest GJM President Bimal Gurung who is spearheading the Gorkhaland movement. She asked the public to remain united to foil any such conspiracy.

"This is a baseless allegation. The police have nothing to do with the fire. We are investigating the case. The culprits will be brought to book" stated a police officer.

Mahendra Pradhan, former GTA member of the Sonada constituency alleged that his house along with the houses of 3 Youth Morcha activists were vandalised by the CRPF and IRB on Thursday morning.

"At around 10:30am when we were out attending the daily rally when the CRPF and IRB vandalised my house along with the houses of Amrit Pradhan, Vavhindra Rai and Deven Rai. We have lodged an FIR to this effect at the Sonada police station " claimed Pradhan.

Srijana Tamang, a GJM supporter who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the July 8 clashes between Gorkhaland supporters and security forces in and around Darjeeling town, was produced at the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Siliguri on Thursday. She was remanded to 5 days of police custody.

OneIndia News