The situation looked the grimmest at Salugara, outside Siliguri town, where GJMM and DYFI-led mobs bayed for each other’s blood all day, separated only by a cordon of policemen. In the brickbatting, five cops were injured and two rioters were arrested.
As tension mounted, GJM chief Bimal Gurung declared at Gorubathan that all taxes in the three Hill sub-divisions Kurseong, Kalimpong and Darjeeling would have to be paid to the party from February. He will hold a meeting at Jaigaon on Sunday, which tribal leaders have vowed to disrupt.
As early as 6 am on Saturday, it was clear that Adivasis had steeled themselves for a long day ahead. Almost all roads were blocked at every 500 metres on National Highway 31 and work in the tea gardens had come to a standstill. All Assam-bound vehicles were stuck on the highway.
Soon, news filtered in that Bishu Oraon of Kumlai tea estate and Rameswar Baraik of Songachhi estate both allegedly abducted by GJM late on Friday were found bruised and unconscious near North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Both were admitted in a critical condition.
Led by Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad (ABAVP) men, tribals threatened to storm Chamurchi in Banerhat when they got to know that GJM was going ahead with its rally at Palashbari tea estate despite Section 144 being imposed in the area.
Chetan Rai, a GJM supporter and a resident of Banerhat, was struck by an arrow when he went to the market. His motorbike was set on fire. Violence was also reported from Looksan, Bhagatpur, Kurti, Grassmore, Champaburi and Bhanunagar.