Violence in Siliguri over secessionist demands; many injured

Violence rocked Siliguri in North Bengal on Wednesday afternoon when supporters and activists of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha clashed with the police. Many people, including media persons and police, sustained injuries in the clash. Police used teargas to disperse the Morcha supporters. The injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
 
Siliguri teetered with tension as the Morcha supporters clashed with the police at Darjeeling More in the outskirt. The violence kicked off when Morcha supporters tried to break through police barricades and enter Siliguri town. Police charged the Morcha supporters with batons and used teargas to scatter the mob when batons failed to contain the surging crowd. The Morcha supporters attacked the police with bricks and stones.

The trouble started when police prevented a big procession of the Morcha at Darjeeling More on Wednesday morning from entering Siliguri town. Demanding separate Gorkhaland state and inclusion of Dooers in the proposed Gorkhaland Morcha supporters sought to enter Siliguri in the morning for a rally. Police stopped the procession in the outskirt of the town apprehending trouble and conflict between the people of the hills and plains. Irked Morcha supporters tried to break through the police cordon.

The clash kicked up significant panic among the people in Siliguri and traders downed their shutters fearing spread of violence. In the hills of Darjeeling a bandh like situation prevailed on the day in support of the Morcha’s demand for separate Gorkhaland state.

Add to: del.icio.us Digg Technorati