GNLF clash with Morcha

 

GNLF clash with Morcha
OUR BUREAU

Darjeeling/Siliguri, Feb. 6: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters today clashed with GNLF activists at Panighata in Kurseong while tension brewed at Birpara, Jalpaiguri, over an

Adivasi threat to prevent a Morcha event tomorrow.

At least 10 people were injured in the Panighata violence, sparked by allegations of bias in the distribution of work under the rural job scheme. The clash comes two days after

Morcha activists burnt vehicles in Darjeeling and Kalimpong in protest against a police lathi-charge in Siliguri.

The Morcha has been demanding permission to hold a public meeting in Siliguri to highlight its statehood demand, but the administration has refused to give the go-ahead.
Kurseong had been calm till today despite the outbreak of violence in Kalimpong and Darjeeling.

Today, trouble broke out after GNLF supporters said the local administration was providing jobs only to Morcha supporters under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Heated arguments broke out and soon the supporters of the two organisations came to blows.

Rival activists beat each other with sticks and rods till the police arrived after an hour and broke up the mobs.

In neighbouring Jalpaiguri district, the Morcha has announced three meetings on three consecutive days in Birpara, starting tomorrow.

Birpara has a sizeable Adivasi population which is opposed to Gorkhaland statehood. The Adivasi Vikas Parishad has called a bandh in Birpara tomorrow so that Morcha activists

cannot reach the area.

The Jalpaiguri district administration has not given permission for the meeting but the Morcha is determined to go ahead with it. A Morcha leader said: “We had no option but to

have meetings on three days, for few people would be able to come tomorrow because of the bandh.”

The meetings will be held to observe the death anniversary of Akbar Lama, a Morcha supporter killed in a clash with Adivasis near Birpara in 2008. There will be meetings in

Darjeeling, Mirik, Kurseong and Kalimpong too, but only tomorrow.

The Adivasi Parishad said it would not allow Morcha supporters to reach the venue of tomorrow’s meeting. Morcha supporters, though, were trickling into Birpara this evening.

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AIGL calls 24-hour bandh on Feb 9

DARJEELING, February 6 (Agencies): All-India Gorkha League (AIGL) has called a 24-hour bandh in the Hills region and the Dooars on February 9 to protest against the state

government’s “apathy towards the demand for a separate Gorkhaland”.”The government is conspiring to thrust the Sixth Schedule on us. We will not accept it and have decided to

call a 24-hour bandh on February 9,” said Madan Tamang, AIGL president. “We appeal to people to stay indoors for a day. We don’t believe in causing inconvenience to people, but

this agitation will send a loud and clear message to Kolkata and Delhi,” said Tamang. Tea gardens, government offices, milk and water carriers and NH-55 have been brought under

the strike purview. Vehicles belonging to the police superintendent and district magistrate as well as NH-31 and NH-31A have, however, been exempted.

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Kurseong boys outplay Pokhara-XI
Himalayan News Service

DHARAN: The invited United Kurseong Football Club of Darjeeling overpowered Pokhara-XI 3-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the 12th Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament here

at the proposed Eastern Stadium today.

In an eventful match, Ritesh Pradhan, Kumar Magarati and Amir Lama scored for the Kurseong boys while Bishnu KC and Deepak Bhushal struck for Pokhara-XI. Ritesh gave Kurseong

early 22nd minute lead capitalising in on a cross from Nagen Lama. However, their lead didn't last for two minutes after Bishnu brought back the equaliser that made the scores

1-1 going into the second half.

Kumar then retained the tourists' lead striking in the 65th minute. Ten minutes later Amir extended the team's lead further to make the match safe by then. The visitors were

down to 10-man in the 85th minute after Arpan Shrestha was sent off for his first bookable offence for bringing down Ganesh Khadka outside the area. Deepak followingly took the

free kick and brilliantly converted to reduce the deficit. Pokhara tried to create pressure upon the 10-man Kurseong but the remaining short time knocked them out. Amir Thapa of

Kurseong was adjudged the man of the math.

Pokhara coach Kumar Gurung said his side -- which included four players who played at the Aaha Gold Cup in Pokhara - lacked coordination in the field. Kurseong coach Dinkar

Chhetri rued the missed opportunities. On Sunday's match, the AHM Kamrujamun Shriti Samsad of Bangladesh will take on the ANFA Under 16 Team.