An Assistant Commander of the Indian Reserve Battalion killed in clash with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists in Darjeeling.
Two Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters were killed and an assistant commandant of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) was stabbed in a fresh clash after protest in hills of Darjeeling turned violent on Saturday.
As the indefinite shutdown to demand a separate state entered its third day, GJM supporters violated the orders and took a procession. When police stopped them, they hurled stones and threw bottles at security personnel who retaliated by firing tear gas shells.
GJM intensified its protest after police 'picked up' a GJM MLA's son and raided the residence of another leader following an attempt by some party supporters to torch a PWD office in Bijanbari area in Darjeeling.
The IRB second battalion Assistant Commandant Kiran Tamang was critically injured after being hit by a 'khukri' (sharp-edged weapon).
"Five years you (GJM) enjoyed, now when elections are coming you start violence because you have lost credential," said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The Chief Minister also said that the protesters were not listening to the court also. "Dont know from where they get support," she said.
"GJM supporters started firing at police, set police vehicles on fire, 1 GJM supporter died due to firing by GJM supporters," said Anuj Sharma, ADG Law and Order
However, GJM leader Binay Tamang claimed that two of his party workers were killed when the police opened fire at a GJM procession here.
A large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel was rushed to the spot under the command of the superintendent of police and other senior IPS officers.
Shops, hotels and other business establishments, barring pharmacies, remained closed in the Darjeeling hills.
Leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which is spearheading an agitation for a separate state, said Vikram Rai, son of GJM MLA Amar Rai, was 'picked up' by the police from Darjeeling.
Vikram is the in-charge of the GJM's media cell.
The indefinite bandh was called after the police on Thursday raided the premises of GJM chief Bimal Gurung.
The GJM had earlier called a shutdown of the offices of state government and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, which its controls.
The turmoil, which was set off by the state government's announcement on introduction of compulsory teaching of Bengali language in schools, has begun impacting daily life in the hills with schools, markets and even bank ATMs shut.
The West Bengal government has rushed seven senior police officers to Darjeeling to help restore the law and order in the hills facing unrest after revival of GJM's demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.
(With agency inputs)
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 "Darjeeling: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists")
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