Jalpaiguri/Darjeeling, Feb 8 : Two persons were killed when police opened fire to stop Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters from taking out a march in Jalpaiguri district violating prohibitory orders, triggering unrest in Darjeeling hills where government vehicles and offices were set on fire by GJM workers.
Sub-divisional Officer of Malbazar Devjani Bhattacharjee said two persons were killed in police firing at Shipchu inside a reserve forest. Clashes erupted when the police dismantled illegal temporary camps of the GJM built near Shipchu inside a reserve forest, IG (North Bengal) Ranbir Kumar said.
Soon after the police action, GJM supporters tried to march towards Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district where prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were in force.
When baton charge and lobbing of tear gas shells failed to control the situation, police fired seven rounds in which two persons were killed, ADG (law and order) Surajit Kar Purakayastha said in Kolkata.
Police and CRPF had dismantled 25 such temporary camps located in the forests, Kumar said. Meanwhile, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said an indefinite bandh has been called in the three hill sub- divisions of Darjeeling district from today with a two-hour recess for smooth passage of vehicles. PTI
