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GNLF calls 72-hr highway blockade(The Statesman (India))Statesman News Service SILIGURI, Dec. 26 GNLF supporters will put up a 72-hour NH 31A blockade at Rambhi for 72 hours from tomorrow to protest alleged police inaction to arrest CPRM supporters involved in the clashes on the day Mr Subash Ghisingh returned from New Delhi after signing the MoU. The blockade is bound to disrupt traffic movement along NH 31, connecting Siliguri with Kalimpong and Sikkim. It may be recalled that on 9 December there was a clash between the two party supporters which created panic in the area. Several vehicles were burnt and damaged by supporters of both the parties. On the day when Mr Ghisingh was returning from Bagdogra towards Darjeeling, the CPRM supporters were holding a street-corner meeting. They also blocked the road alleging that Mr Bhanu Lama, former councillor of Lopchu -Peshok constituency along with his supporters, had thrown crackers inside the houses of CPRM supporters and also alleged that the GNLF supporters burnt CPRM flags when they were celebrating the inclusion of the Darjeeling Hills under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Mr Madan Chhetri, block president of GNLF, National Highway-II, said: The CPRM supporters suddenly started pelting stones and attacking the GNLF supporters and also damaged the houses of our supporters at Kalijhora. Mr Chhetri also alleged that CPRM supporters burnt two motorcycles and damaged several vehicles of GNLF supporters. He said: We are going to organise a 72-hour roadblock on NH 31 A at Rambhi from tomorrow demanding the arrest of the CPRM supporters involved in the clash. The GNLF leader alleged that CPRM supporters boycotted conciliation meetings called thrice by both the Pradhan Nagar and Kalimpong police. Mr Arun Ghatani, CPRM youth wing leader, rubbished the allegation as totally baseless and said the GNLF supporters started the tussle first. Regarding boycotting of conciliation meetings, Mr Ghatani said the meeting is always called at a GNLF stronghold where there is every chance of being attacked by GNLF supporters. |