CRPF arrives in Siliguri to control violence over separate Gorkha land
By ANITuesday, February 23, 2010
SILIGURI - The Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) arrived at Siliguri to control the violent atmosphere prevailing in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Terai regions for the past few months over the demand for a separate Gorkhaland.
The activists of regional Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) and the Vidyarthi Morcha (Students’ Front), have continued their agitation and in the process burnt up many police booths, observed strikes and destroyed houses of innocent people residing in hills and Terai regions.
The central government has sent three companies of paramilitary forces to be deployed in these regions.
The paramilitary forces will begin their work from today specifically on NH 31, the road linked to Sikkim that has been disrupted by the GJM supporters on various occasions in spite of the Supreme Court’s order on not to block any national highway.
“The three companies of paramilitary forces have arrived. One of them has been deployed in Siliguri. We haven’t decided about the deployment of the other two companies but they will most probably be deployed on NH31.” confirmed Debendra Pratap Singh, Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling District, West Bengal.
Gorkhas have been demanding a separate state, to be carved out of West Bengal, to protect their culture and heritage.
The Gorkha population in West Bengal is estimated to be around a million. (ANI)
