Darjeeling was in fire once again on Saturday as three persons were killed in frontal battles between the police and the supporters of Gorkha Janmkukti Morcha (GJM) and Gorkha National liberation Front (GNlF).
One person, reportedly a supporter of GNlF was killed in police firing at Sonada town where angry agitators set a police outpost and a heritage toy train Railway Station on fire. As the Sonada news spread like wildfire, the battles ensued in Darjeeling proper where two other persons were killed when police allegedly opened fire at Chowk Bazar.
As Darjeeling is burning again, the GJM said there is not question of dialogue with the Bengal Government.
Army was promptly called out as intermittent skirmishes were reported till late in the evening, sources said.
GJM and GNlF the two biggest outfits, normally diehard enemies of each other but currently fighting jointly promptly announced the struggle and bandh in the Hills would continue spurning offer of talks from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who saw “Central mischief” hands in the ongoing violence in Darjeeling.
Reacting to the deteriorating situation in Darjeeling, the Chief Minister said, “We asked for Central assistance but they gave us inadequate number of forces.”
Some parties were enjoying the situation going out of hand she said, adding “they have already let Kashmir go out of hand and messed up with the North East. Now they are doing it here in Darjeeling with the help of some friendly neighbouring States (read Sikkim whose Chief Minister had earlier backed the cause of Gorkhaland).”
Mamata said, “Our Government is ready for talks provided the strikers shun violence and take up peaceful means. If that happens then I can offer talks aver 10-12 days.” She also offered to conduct probe into the firing incident as the bullets found near the dead people were of Insas rifles normally used by the security forces sources said.
But the hill outfits promptly spurned the offer saying “after today’s incident there is no question of talks and the movement in the Hills will go on.” GNlF said, “There can be no talks with the State Government. And all responsibility to restore peace in the Hills lie on the State Government after today’s incident.” There spokesperson said, “Even if talks are held, it will should be held on the issue of a separate Gorkhaland State.”