Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on July 9, 2017 said that he had “asked the Home Secretary to coordinate with West Bengal administration and ensure the safety, security and smooth traffic on NH 10”. Mr. Singh's statement comes as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha planned protest marches against the alleged killing of its supporters in police firing in Darjeeling.
In a series of tweets Mr. Singh said he had also spoken to Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling regarding the security situation in the State and areas neighbouring West Bengal. “I assured him that Centre will ensure the safety & security of NH 10 and do everything possible to save people of the state from any misery.”
On July 9, 2017, GJM planned to take out the rallies as the indefinite shutdown in support of their demand for a separate Gorkhaland entered the 25th day amid a strict vigil by the Army and the police.
The GJM leadership on July 8, 2017 claimed that four persons were killed in police firing. The police, however, denied the reports of firing and said it did not fire a “single shot”.
The GJM claimed that while two pro-Gorkhaland supporters had died on the spot during the police firing, two others succumbed to injuries in hospital.
The separatist group identified the four victims as Tashi Bhutia, Suraj Sundas, Asha Kumar and Sameer Subba.
M.S. Rai, chairman of the Rai Development Board, resigned on July 8, 2017 night in protest against the alleged killings.
A view of a Toytrain station damaged by Gorkhaland supporters in Darjeeling, West Bengal on Saturday.
The GJM also rejected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s offer of talks on July 8, 2017.
The police are on high alert after fresh violence and arson erupted in Darjeeling hills on July 8, 2017.
The Army was redeployed on July 8, 2017 after the violence in Darjeeling hills where Gorkhaland supporters torched a police outpost, a toy train station and clashed with the police at two places in protest against the alleged killings.
Police pickets and barricades were placed in front of the government and GTA offices and various entry exit points of the hills while Rapid Action Force (RAF) and a sizable number of women police personnel were also deployed.
Except medicine shops, all others shops and hotels are closed in Darjeeling.
