Sanjha Morcha

GORKHA STIR Violence, arson back in Darjeeling GTA office, rly station set on fire; several government vehicles damaged

Violence, arson back in Darjeeling
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists block a road at Panighata in Siliguri on Thursday. PTI

Darjeeling, July 13

A GTA office was set on fire and several vehicles were damaged in Darjeeling today as the indefinite shutdown in the hills entered the 29th day.The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) office for travel and tourism in Chowrastha of Mall Road in Darjeeling was set ablaze by pro-Gorkhaland supporters early morning. Several government vehicles were also damaged near the Darjeeling station by unidentified men last night.A railway station in Gayabari area of Kurseong was set on fire by pro-Gorkhaland supporters this morning. A forest bungalow near Teesta river was also set on fire today.The convoy of state tourism minister Gautam Deb was also attacked on the way to Darjeeling’s Panighatta where the minister was going to attend a programme on the occasion of poet Bhanubhakta Acharya’s birth anniversary.Meanwhile, responding to the call of the Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC), a writer and a singer returned the awards given to them by the state government.The GJM and pro-Gorkhaland supporters today celebrated the birth anniversary of noted Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharaya. Hundreds of Pro-Gorkhaland supporters today took out colourful rallies reciting poems written by Bhanubhakta Acharya and carrying placards in favour of separate state of Gorkhaland. Internet services remained suspended for the 26th day.Except medicine shops, all the shops, restaurants, schools, colleges, hotels and private offices remained closed. The police and the security forces maintained a tight vigil at all entry and exit points.

‘Hold tripartite meet’

CPM general secretary Sitraram Yechury on Thursday said Union Home Minister Rajnath Sigh must convene a tripartite meeting of representatives of the Centre, state government and GJM leaders to restore peace in the region. — TNS & PTI

Gorkhas return awards

  • Expressing support for a separate Gorkhaland state, Gorkha public figures gave up their awards on the birth anniversary of Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya
  • Those who gave up their awards are Nepali writer and translator Krishna Singh Moktan, musician Karma Younzon and Principal of Kurseong College Prakash Pradhan
  • “More than any award, it is Gorkhaland which is important for us. Once it is formed,I will receive many awards from it,” said Younzon,who received the ‘Sangeet Samman’ last year