GJM demands President's Rule in Bengal

Amid a 12-hour shutdown in the north Bengal hills called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, GJM chief Bimal Gurung on Friday blamed the Mamata Banerjee-led government for propagating "autocratic politics" in the region and demanded President's Rule in West Bengal.

"The Chief Minister should be pro-development but whenever they (Trinamool) come, there is disruption and destruction. Trinamool workers started stone pelting (in front of Mahakal temple) but police thought GJM workers are the perpetrators. It was in a planned way. There should be President's Rule in Bengal. There is autocracy going on," Gurung told the media here.

Demanding a separate Gorkhaland state, thousands of angry GJM activists on Thursday indulged in arson and pelted stones at police, injuring 15, in Darjeeling.

The army was called in following widespread violence unleashed by the stir.

The GJM called for a 12-hour shutdown on Friday to protest "indiscriminate police action on the peaceful demonstration" by its workers.

--IANS

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