Gorkhaland supporters clash with police, many hurt

Clashes between the police and Gorkhaland supporters on Sunday resulted in injuries to several people on both sides at Jaigoan in Alipurduar district, bordering Bhutan.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the other hill parties took out a rally at Jaigaon on the 46th day of an indefinite strike called by the GJM in the hills.

According to the police, clashes broke out between the securitymen and the Gorkhaland supporters after the participants in the rally, carrying kukris (Gorkha knives), hurled stones and petrol bombs at the police personnel.

The police tried to convince the GJM supporters to refrain from attacking, but the agitators remained defiant and broke the first two barricades. They kept hurling stones at the police, who then resorted to  water cannons and firing tear gas shells, besides batons to disperse the crowd.

At this, the protesters turned violent and set afire a few vehicles, including those of the police. Several police personnel and Gorkhaland supporters were injured in the clashes, the police said.