On Tuesday, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters burnt copies of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement and late into Tuesday night, an office of GTA — the semi-autonomous body looking into the hills' affairs — was burnt, allegedly by GJM supporters.
The engineering division of GTA, next to the GTA headquarters in Lalkuthi area, was set ablaze last night. The fire gutted the structure and destroyed all the documents. It is the first time since the bandh, which started 14 days ago, that a GTA office has been attacked. Afterwards, Rajbanshi Panchayat Office and the Sericulture Office at Kalimpong were also set on fire.
It has been alleged that the GTA office was burnt to destroy evidences of financial irregularities as the state government had ordered an audit of GTA.
GJM leaders however, brushed aside all allegations of arson and said GJM workers had nothing to do with the burning of government offices.
The GJM also took out a rally on Wednesday in which children and youth participated. While toddlers carried placards written 'Gorkhaland is our birthright', youngsters of about 12-13 years walked barebodied with 'We want Gorkhaland' written on their chest, and sporting shackles around their necks, wrists and legs.
Members of Women and Youth wing of GJM gheraoed Sadar Police Station shouting slogans demanding a separate state. Police refrained from using any means to restrain protestors. Two GJM leaders — RB Bhujel and Samuel Gurung — were detained but were released later.
The GJM has called an all-party meeting at the hills to chalk out their next course of action about the movement.
North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh said the Gorkhas have started a destructive movement. "First they used women, and today they have used toddlers and senior citizens. It is a self-destructive process. Ration is not reaching the hiils due to protests. The hills are turning into a graveyard. This should be stopped immediately," he said.
In another development, forces which have been deployed at the hills at the request of the state government, have been withdrawn.
Eastern Commander spokesperson Wing Commander SS Birdi said the forces had been withdrawn on June 24 after the state said army deployment was not needed anymore.
On every request of the state government to lift the bandh, GJM supporters had been demanding the withdrawal of army first. It will be interesting to see what the GJM decides in the all-party meeting on Thursday regarding relaxation of bandh.
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