Dooars simmers

The two groups clashed and police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse them. Angry mob also gheraoed a local police station forcing the administration to deploy a large contingent of force in the area.

Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported from various areas under Siliguri sub-division,besides Chamurchi More in Banarhat where police had to lob teargas shells to control the mob. On Monday,four to five shops were set on fire in the area.

Both the rival groups,however,slammed the state government for the clash alleging lapse in the security arrangement.

Around 75 people were arrested for picketing and trying to close down shops in Jaigaon close to the Indo-Bhutan border. Elsewhere,some 60 people were arrested. Section 144 continues to be in force in many areas of the region.

John Barla,the leader of the tribal faction that supports the GJM,said: “We will intensify our movement if the state government immediately does not intervene into the situation. We will continue with the indefinite strike.” He met GJM president Bimal Gurung at Malbazzar and discussed the future strategy.

On the other hand,Birsha Tirkey,president of Adivasi Vikash Parishad,said: “We have never indulged in violence. This is a spontaneous reaction of the people of the region. This proves how the locals have rejected the idea of being included in the Gorkha Territorial Administration.”