House burnt in GJM-GNLF clash

DARJEELING: Trouble is brewing in the Hills once again. On Tuesday, Chimney, a small hamlet in Kurseong, turned violent with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) supporters clashing over a cultural programme.

According to the police, GNLF supporters on Monday were celebrating the signing of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) accord at Majuwa in Chimney, about 20 km from Kurseong town. During the celebration, some GJM supporters allegedly tried to disrupt the celebration, resulting in a minor scuffle.

On Tuesday morning, things took an ugly turn with supporters from both sides clashing once again. The house of Sangay Rumba, a GNLF supporter, was set on fire and his vehicle torched, allegedly by GJM cadres. "Several GJM supporters attacked our house around 11.30 am. My husband was dragged outside and beaten up. They also ransacked our belongings," alleged Bangmu Rumba, Sangay's wife.

She managed to escape with her daughter through a window. Fire tenders arrived on time to douse the fire and the house was only partially damaged. Sangay sustained minor injuries.

GJM leaders, however, denied the allegations and instead blamed GNLF for the violence. "Our supporters did not have a hand in the violence. In fact, it was GNLF men who attacked the house of our supporter Padam Rumba on Monday night," alleged Niru Sherpa, a GJM leader of Chimney.

Both parties blamed each other for the violence and also filed FIRs at Kurseong police station. Police said no arrests have been made so far. "We are investigating what happened in Chimney though the situation is under control now. There were minor clashes between the GNLF and GJM over a celebration," said Nima Sherpa, the Kurseong SDPO. Adequate police forces have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incidents.

On August 22, 1988, Subash Ghisingh, the GNLF chief, signed an agreement with the state and central governments to form the DGHC, after nearly 28 months of bloody agitation. More then 1,200 people were killed in the 1986 agitation that was ultimately dropped after signing of the accord.

Source: Times of India