Howrah News Service -  Latest news and headlines on Howrah,West Bengal and World: Violence in Siliguri over secessionist demands; many injured

Violence in Siliguri over secessionist demands; many injured
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LOCALCORRESPONDENT on 10 April, 2008 11:04:00
 
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.