Centre to rush interlocutor to Darjeeling

DARJEELING/KOLKATA: The Centre has decided to rush government-appointed interlocutor Lieutenant General Vijay Madan(retd) to Darjeeling to help normalize the situation in the hills. Madan had played a key role in mediating between the Centre, the West Bengal government and the GJM over the interim council issue.
Madan will reach Siliguri from Delhi on Saturday and is expected to meet GJM leaders as well as officials of the district administration in Sibchu and Siliguri."We cannot say where the meeting will be held," Darjeeling DM Mohan Gandhi said.
GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said Madan would sit for a meeting with party leaders. "The interlocutor is coming to Darjeeling. We have not yet thought of any issue. Let us see what happens," he said.
Life in the Hills was paralysed during the day, thanks to an indefinite bandh and there was shortage of water in the district hospital. GJM supporters gheraoed the sadar police station, demanding a CBI inquiry into the firing.
Police have started raids in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong to arrest those involved in destruction of government property since Tuesday, after the Shibchu firing and death of two GJM supporters. They have also started cases against those involved in blocking of roads and gherao of police stations.
The DM had a video conference from Siliguri with EC observers in Kolkata during the day. "They wanted to know about the law and order situation and also inquired about the progress in disposal of the non-bailable cases and seizure of arms," he said. The EC observers will visit Darjeeling.
Chief secretary Samar Ghosh said in Kolkata cases had been lodged against some GJM supporters and police would take action against those named in the FIR. He said that the report on the incident of violence had been sent to the Centre.