9 days on,second self-immolation bid in Darjeeling

A Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporter attempted self immolation,the second such attempt in 10 days,in Darjeeling for a separate Gorkhaland state as the indefinite bandh called by the party entered the sixth day Thursday.

A Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporter attempted self immolation,the second such attempt in 10 days,in Darjeeling for a separate Gorkhaland state as the indefinite bandh called by the party entered the sixth day Thursday.

The GJM supporter,Purba Sherpa,a 32-year-old physically challenged person,who was in a procession,set himself alight near the Chowk bazar,police sources said. The other GJM supporters hastily doused the flames and rushed Sherpa to the Darjeeling Sadar Hospital. Sherpa sustained 55 per cent burns,sources said.

Earlier,45-year-old Mangal Kumar Rajput had set himself alight at the Dambarchowk on July 30 and died of his burns at a hospital in

Siliguri on August 3.

Meanwhile,five persons including three GJM leaders were detained.

Student leaders Amrit Yanjan,Priyadarshan Rai,Anil Rai besides two others were detained last night,police sources said. Amrit,Priyadarshan and Anil were later released,while the other two were arrested,they said.

Asha Gurung,the wife of GJM President,Bimal Gurung held a demonstration near the Darjeeling police station demanding their release. The number of arrests touched 145.

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