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Darjeeling Bandh Day 2: protesters pelt stones at police

Three have been arrested on Tuesday. Police had to chase the crowd at Chowk Bazar because they started pelting stones at us: Akhilesh Chaturvedi

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Security personnel during a protest
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Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supported the general strike called by tea garden unions at the hills and as a result there was a complete shut down at the hills on Tuesday, the second day of the indefinite strike called by GJM.

GJM members took out a rally on Tuesday morning from Chowk Bazar towards the District Magistrate's office. They were stopped by police force led by Darjeeling's Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi. Protesters started pelting stones, which led the police to open lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.

The state government formed a special committee to ensure law and order in Darjeeling. Senior officers such as Jawed Shamim and Siddhinath Gupta, who were part of the committee, were actively marshalling their resources at the hill.

On Tuesday, protestors were seen at different lanes, sitting in groups and chanting slogans for Gorkhaland. Police were especially active near GJM chief Bimal Gurung's residence at Patlaybas area and the GJM party office at Singmari. Shops were shut. Police officer escorted tourists who were trying to leave the hills.

"Three persons have been arrested on Tuesday. Police had to chase the crowd at Chowk Bazar because they started pelting stones at us," Chaturvedi said.

GJM leaders, however, maintained that police had lathi charged peaceful protestors. "Police had unnecessarily lathi charged peaceful protestors. They may keep on trying to suppress us, but our demand for Gorkhaland will grow stronger in the process," said Roshan Giri, general secretary, GJM.

Meanwhile the Centre had sought a report from the state government on the situation.

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