Darjeeling: Youth self-immolates with GL Cry

Indefinite Hills Bandh from Aug 3

DARJEELING, July 31, 2013

A Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) youth supporter tried to immolate himself at Damber Chowk, the heart of Kalimpong town, on the second day of 72-hours Darjeeling Hills bandh called by the Morcha for Gorkhaland demand.

Mangal Singh Rajput, 42 years old, was picketing in the town when he suddenly set himself on fire and ran towards Damber Chowk shouting ‘We want Gorkhaland’, witnesses said.

Stunned people rushed to his rescue and doused the fire. He was then rushed to the nearby sub-divisional hospital.

On July 29, one person had also tried to selfimmolate at Chowk Bazaar in Darjeeling town but was timely stopped.

“There was an incident at Kalimpong where a Morcha supporter tried to immolate himself. Doctors inform that he has suffered serious burns. As his condition is critical, he has been referred to a hospital in Siliguri,” said Darjeeling superintendent of police Kunal Agarwal.

GJM president Bimal Gurung posted his respects and prayers to Rajput in his social media page. “My respect and prayers goes to the brave soldier from Kalimpong, Mangal Singh Rajput who set himself on fire for Gorkhaland. I want the entire Gorkhaland family to pray for this life. I would also like to ask the Central government on many people have to set themselves on fire for Gorkhaland?”

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said: “The self-immolation took place because of the atrocities of the government towards us. It is the treatment of the government that has prompted a Morcha activist to take such step”.

Meanwhile, Darjeeling Hills remained closed yesterday also. Police has registered four cases against picketers who blocked the NH 31A at Teesta and NH 55 at Kuresong.

Official sources said two more platoons of security forces were en route to the hills, where seven companies of RAF, five companies of Riot Police and two companies of IRB were stationed.

(Courtesy: Sikkim Express)