Denying allegations that protesters were killed in police firing in Darjeeling on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said there was “deep rooted conspiracy” behind the current unrest.She also said the State government had been informed of a “terrorist connection” to the current violence.
The Chief Minister was addressing the media at the State secretariat after a meeting with various community council chiefs from Darjeeling. Representatives of 15 development boards in the district were also present.
“Police did not fire; that is absolutely wrong. They, the GJM, started firing,” Ms. Banerjee said.
On the “terrorist connection”, she said the “underground North-Eastern insurgency groups are connected” to the movement in Darjeeling.
Calling for cooperation between the Centre and the State on the issue, the CM said, “I think the Centre and the State government must work together here and the Centre should extend full cooperation.” She also urged the Centre “not to encourage them (GJM).”
