Darjeeling:
Two persons were killed and at least 10 injured when police opened fire at Sipchu in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district today.
The police claim they opened fire after supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, who had blocked roads, stabbed a woman constable. They had earlier tried to disperse the crowd with a lathicharge and teargas but failed.
"When there were further attacks, police opened fire. Seven rounds were fired. Till now, a man and a woman have died," said S Kar Purakayasta, ADG Law & Order.
Close to 3000 Morcha supporters were on a relay hungerstrike since 29th January at Sipchu at the border between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts to demand the inclusion of parts of Jalpaiguri in their proposed Gorkhaland state.
"Why did they fire on our non-violent protest today? We need justice," said Roshan Giri, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader.
The Jalpaiguri incident sparked off trouble in Darjeeling where rampaging mobs set fire to several vehicles. The Morcha has called an indefinite bandh starting 6 am tomorrow. The government has rushed additional forces to the hills.