The West Bengal government has informed the Calcutta High Court that, “Maoists from a neighbouring country have infiltrated into the area” in the wake of the Darjeeling violence and would “target government officials” working there and also “burn down government buildings.”
In an affidavit filed in connection with the hearing of public interest petitions on Darjeeling before the Court of Acting Chief Justice Nisitha Mhatre and Justice T Chakraborty, the government said, in spite of its best efforts the State administration could not maintain normalcy in the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, due to strong opposition, non-cooperation and continuous agitation.
The Division Bench directed the Centre to send four more companies of Central armed police forces to the hills within 48 hours after the receipt of the order.
At present, 11 companies of CAPF have been deployed.
The High Court also directed the State government to provide additional forces from its own resources to bring back normalcy. An indefinite strike has crippled the hills since June 15 when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha issued a call for protest.
Arson continues
Arson continued on the 30th day of protests, with a Railway Protection Force (RPF) office, a police outpost and a State-run library set on fire in the hills.
