Fresh violence in the hills of Darjeeling, 2 cops injured

In a fresh round of violence in Rungli Rungliot, Darjeeling, three police personnel were injured late on Thursday night, allegedly after being attacked by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) members. The three injured — Tapan Karmakar, ASI, Siliguri GRP, Prakash Thakur, constable, and Harihar Majhi, junior constable — have been admitted to a nursing home.

Officers of Rungli Rungliot police station started an operation after they got information about a violent protest by GJM members. As soon as they reached the spot they received heavy resistance from protestors and villagers who started pelting stones and bottles at them. Villagers allegedly also beat up police personnel with sticks and snatched away some of their weapons. A senior police officer from the district, however, confirmed that the arms were recovered from the village later.

Early on Friday, GJM supporters allegedly attacked the residence of MK Zimba, vice chairman of Mirik Municipality. Eye witnesses said petrol bombs were hurled at Zimba’s house. Zimba, who sustained the head injuries, was taken  to Mirik Hospital for treatment.