Darjeeling erupts again, Mamata says ‘Let’s talk’

Fresh violence erupted in Darjeeling following the death of a Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) supporter late on Friday night, even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for peace. “The government is ready for talks with the hill parties, but peace has to be ushered in. The government has shown enough restraint in the interest of the people of the hills. Peace has to return to the hills,” she said on Saturday.

According to sources, the body of Tashi Bhutia, the GNLF supporter, was found at Sonada on the ourskirts of Darjeeling with a bullet lodged in his forehead. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders said Bhutia was killed in a CRPF firing incident on Friday. Protestors razed Sonada Police Station, the DSP office, a TMC party office as well as the waiting room of the toy train station on Saturday. Police fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. A rally with the body of Bhutia was also taken out by GJM supporters.

Leaders in the hills said that the indefinite strike, which entered its 24th day, would continue.

“Our supporter, Tashi Bhutia, stepped out to get medicines for his brother at about 11 pm on Friday. While returning home, he …read more