GJM Activists burn mobiles to protest internet ban; DGP appeals for peace

UNI
Darjeeling/Siliguri : The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists todaytook out a mobile rally and subsequently burnt scores of sets in the hills to vent their anger against ban on internet services even as Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkyastha appealed to the people of Darjeeling to restore peace. The Gorkhaland protagonists started the rally from Ghoom Railway Station to Jorbungloand back to Ghoom and then burnt several normal and android sets in protest against the ban on internet services, which came into effect from June 21 and was extended for another two weeks.

Meanwhile, the DGP said the administration will provide every support to peaceful people and initiate lawful action againstviolators. Before flying back to Kolkata from the hills, the DGP told reporters at the Bagdograairport that the overall situation in the Hills was under control now. Mr Purkyastha said he held administrative meetings with the officials atDarjeeling and Mirik, besides meeting other officials, specially deputed in thehills after violence erupted from June 8 over Bengali language issue andthe Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)'s political demand of separate Gorkhland for Indian Gorkhas. He was in the hills to take stock of the situation. Mr Purkayastha said efforts were on to restore peace in the hills.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday briefed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on the law and order situation in Darjeeling. Ms Banerjee told the Home Minister about the security situation inthe hills and the steps taken by her government to bring back normalcyin the region and the Centre assured all cooperation to Ms Banerjee to restore normalcy in violence-hit Darjeeling. While the Chief Minister apprised Mr Singh of the security situation in the hills district and the steps taken by her government to end the crisis, the Home Minister said the Centre would extend full cooperation. He also requested the Chief Minister to take all necessary steps to restore normalcy in Darjeeling. The indefinite shutdown in the hills entered the sixth week bringing life to virtual standstill.

[Source:United News of India]