Exclusive: GJM-TMC Supporters Battle it out in Kalimpong: Clash over PHE Contracts? or Inter-Party feud?
Kalimpong was on edge today, due to clash between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Trinmool Supporters. As the report of GJM-TMC clash trickled down, the town started to shut down, causing widespread fear and panic among the residents. So far, reports say that 8 people have been seriously injured during the clash and have been brought to Siliguri.
According to GJM supporters, the incidence was a case of “TMC goons starting to terrorize the hill people.” GJM has accused that TMC leader Tshewang Bhutia had been calling the home of GJM supporter Mr. Suman Gurung who lives in Chandralok, Kalimpong and threatening him and his family on a regular basis. On Tuesday 18th of February Mrs. Suprina Thapa, wife of Mr. Suman Gurung had lodged a police complaint against Tshewang Bhutia for threatening her husband and harassing her entire family. Today around noon, as the news of the clash between GJM and TMC supporters broke out, some unknown individuals ransacked Mr Suman Gurung’s house. However, GJM accuse that the police has literally turned a blind eye against the excesses of TMC supporters.
On the other hand Hill TMC president Chewang Bhutia has alleged that GJM youths attacked his party workers with Khukhuris. Sonam Bhutia, Yakin Lamichane, Pravakar Thakuri, Sundar Basnet, Aviraj Ghatani, Sukden Lepcha and party’s Kalimpong youth convener Pranay Thulung were also injured during the brawl along with a few other TMC supporters. Bhutia later called for a press meet and said that 12 TMC activists were in the canteen when around 35 GJM youths attacked them unprovoked, causing serious injuries.
Those who are aware of the situation however say that the clash could have been resulted due to increasing turf war over PHE, PWD and MES contracts and not a clash between political parties. Just that those who are involved in contracts are mostly supporters of either GJM or TMC, because of which it looks like inter-party feud, which it is not.
Once the news of the clash became more common, the shops in Kalimpong had started to shut down, but GJM Yuva Morcha supporters urged the shopkeepers to keep the town open.
Anticipating trouble, police and CRPF have been deployed in Kalimpong and despite the blame game, so far no arrest have been reported
[A DT exclusive report with Inputs from sources in the field + Eyewitness reports.
Pics sources: kalimpongonlinenews]
Kalimpong was on edge today, due to clash between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Trinmool Supporters. As the report of GJM-TMC clash trickled down, the town started to shut down, causing widespread fear and panic among the residents. So far, reports say that 8 people have been seriously injured during the clash and have been brought to Siliguri.
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| GJM-TMC Supporters clash in Kalimpong |
On the other hand Hill TMC president Chewang Bhutia has alleged that GJM youths attacked his party workers with Khukhuris. Sonam Bhutia, Yakin Lamichane, Pravakar Thakuri, Sundar Basnet, Aviraj Ghatani, Sukden Lepcha and party’s Kalimpong youth convener Pranay Thulung were also injured during the brawl along with a few other TMC supporters. Bhutia later called for a press meet and said that 12 TMC activists were in the canteen when around 35 GJM youths attacked them unprovoked, causing serious injuries.
Those who are aware of the situation however say that the clash could have been resulted due to increasing turf war over PHE, PWD and MES contracts and not a clash between political parties. Just that those who are involved in contracts are mostly supporters of either GJM or TMC, because of which it looks like inter-party feud, which it is not.
Once the news of the clash became more common, the shops in Kalimpong had started to shut down, but GJM Yuva Morcha supporters urged the shopkeepers to keep the town open.
Anticipating trouble, police and CRPF have been deployed in Kalimpong and despite the blame game, so far no arrest have been reported
[A DT exclusive report with Inputs from sources in the field + Eyewitness reports.
Pics sources: kalimpongonlinenews]
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