Amid ongoing unrest in the hills of Darjeeling, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday appealed everyone to remain calm saying, issue can be resolved through dialogue.
Amid ongoing unrest in the hills of Darjeeling, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday appealed everyone to remain calm saying, issue can be resolved through dialogue.
On the boil for the past 10 days over a separate state demand, Darjeeling had on Saturday witnessed widespread clashes between GJM activists and the police in which one person was killed and 35 security personnel were injured, including an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) officer.
"Spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee this morning. She has apprised me of the situation prevailing in Darjeeling," said Rajnath Singh in a series of tweets.
Appealing residents living in Darjeeling and nearby areas to remain calm and peaceful, Rajnath Singh said, "Nobody should resort to violence. In a democracy like India resorting to violence would never help in finding a solution. Every issue can be resolved through mutual dialogue."
The Home Minister also said that all concerned parties and stakeholders should resolve their differences and misunderstandings through dialogue in amicable environment.
The police, who have been on high alert after Saturday's violence and arson, conducted route marches with the Army in several parts of the hills.
Police pickets and barricades were placed in front of the government and GTA offices, and various entry-exit points of the hills. Several woman police personnel have also been deployed.
Meanwhile, GJM chief Bimal Gurung termed as 'white lies' Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim that the agitation in Darjeeling hills was supported by insurgent groups, and asserted the struggle for a separate Gorkhaland state would be intensified.
Banerjee had said that the GJM-led agitation in Darjeeling hills is a "deep-rooted conspiracy" supported by the insurgent groups of the Northeast and some foreign countries.
Except for medicine stores, all others shops and hotels remained closed in Darjeeling.
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