Curfew relaxed, Siliguri limps back to normalcy

Siliguri limped back to normalcy as curfew was lifted from several parts of the town on Saturday, a day after violent clashes between Nepali-speaking people and the locals.

Indefinite curfew in 11 sensitive areas, however, would continue till further orders. Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb said the Army would also remain deployed in the disturbed areas till October 1.

The situation was under control, said Deb. Curfew was relaxed during the day but would be clamped again at night for maintaining peace, he said. An all-party meeting was also held on Saturday for restoring normalcy and for maintenance of communal harmony, he said.

The violence erupted on Friday morning during a rally, organised in protest against “derogatory” remarks made against the Gorkha community on an FM channel. The Chief Secretary said he had written to the Union home ministry on behalf of the state government seeking strong action against the guilty person.

Representatives of the Prashant Fan Club of Darjeeling, led by Binay Tamang, also met the District Magistrate and top police officials in the evening. Tamang later said they are satisfied with the action taken by the administration.