Darjeeling (WB), June 9: The Army staged flag marches in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) observed a 12-hour bandh, which was described by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as “illegal”.
“The situation is under control and government offices recorded 98 to 100 per cent attendance in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik,” the chief minister told reporters here. She said some shops were closed as their owners were wary of GJM vandalism.
GJM chief Bimal Gurung has challenged Banerjee to stop the agitation in the hills, asserting that “his writ runs in the hill”. He also projected himself as the “chief minister of the hills”. Gurung said the GJM would formulate a strategy for further agitation in a democratic way. The six columns of Army carried out flag marches in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, a defence spokesperson said, adding the situation was under control.
Darjeeling town, brimming over with tourists, had witnessed violence Thursday when GJM supporters clashed with the police and burnt state vehicles. Banerjee, who stayed back here after Thursday’s cabinet meeting, asked the tourists not to get scared.
She said a three-member committee comprising three senior IPS officers had been set up to look after the law and order situation in Darjeeling. She said arrangements had been made to help the tourists return to Siliguri from Darjeeling. The state government has also arranged buses to take the tourists from Siliguri to Kolkata, she said.
Banerjee, who visited some areas and interacted with the people, said, “I have seen how so many vehicles were set on fire. We want peace and development in the hills. The Army has already started route march.” Warning the GJM not to cross the “lakshman rekha”, the TMC leader said, “There is a limit to everything. Strong action will be taken if they cross the limit.”
“The police will do its work and law will take its own course. Nobody is above law. Government is very tough. They will take action against those who are doing this vandalism,” she said when asked about the kind of action the government was planning against the GJM chief. Thursday, an FIR was filed under non-bailable sections at the Darjeeling Sadar police station against Gurung and GJM general secretary Roshan Giri. The GJM supporters had protested alleging that the state government was imposing Bengali language in the schools in the hills, which was refuted by the Chief Minister.
PTI