Panchayat office set ablaze, government vehicle damaged in Darjeeling

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-led strike enters Day 32 in Darjeeling on Sunday

The charred Tourist Resource Centre in Darjeeling that was set ablaze by protesters on Thursday. Pic/PTI

A panchayat office was set on fire and a government vehicle was damaged at Kurseong in Darjeeling as the GJM-led indefinite strike demanding a separate state entered its 31st day on Saturday.

Large-scale violence and arson took place in Kurseong town in the afternoon even as Army troops remained stationed in Darjeeling, Sonada
and Kalimpong.

An Army column of around 50 personnel was deployed in Kalimpong on Monday night, while two columns were sent to Darjeeling and Sonada on Saturday last week.

Meanwhile, the GJM rubbished the Bengal government’s allegation that it "has a tacit understanding with Maoists and is getting tactical support from them".

"The allegation levelled against us that we are getting support from Maoists is completely false. We challenge the state government to prove the allegation," GJM youth wing chief Prakash Gurung said.

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