West Bengal: Police baton charge GJM men

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists demanding release of some of their supporters went on the rampage on Friday, setting ablaze the house of a Gorkha National Liberation Front leader in Darjeeling district and hurling stones at the police when they intervened, leading to a baton charge on them.

After holding a meeting, GJM supporters took out a procession to the residence of local GNLF leader Rajen Mukhia at Panighata, about 35 km from Siliguri, and set his house on fire, Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K L Tamta told PTI.

Police resorted to baton charge and fired teargas shells to disperse the supporters who attacked the police with stones, Tamta said, adding 15 policemen were injured, seven of them seriously.

Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said in Kolkata that the attack on Mukhia's house could lead to repercussions.

Meanwhile, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri has called an indefinite strike in the Darjeeling hills from Saturday to protest the baton charge, which he was termed as unprovoked, and demanded removal of Tamta and Additional SP (Headquarters).

On July 8, some GJM supporters had attacked Mukhia's house following which three of them were arrested.

The GJM had observed a 12-hour strike in Kurseong sub-division on Thursday demanding unconditional release of the three and the arrest of Mukhia and six of his associates.