The Times of India

19 Oct 2008, 0309 hrs IST,
Deep Gazmer,TNN

DARJEELING: West Bengal police on Saturday registered cases against Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists on the basis of complaints by officials against them for defacing government and office signboards on Friday.

“The government’s policy has already been made clear. We will maintain peace in the Hills but action will be taken soon against the perpetrators,” said Darjeeling DM Surendra Gupta. SP Rahul Srivastav confirmed that he had received complaints from the government offices against GJM activists.

“We have initiated cases on the basis of complaints that we received from government offices and started investigations,” said Srivastav.

Officials of Bengal Natural Museum, situated on Bishop Eric Benjamin Road, and National Voluntary Forum, on Mall Road, were among those who lodged complaints after the signboards were defaced. “So far, four to five complaints have been filed. We will take legal action,” said the SP.

In response to GJM leader Bimal Gurung’s call to replace the words “West Bengal” with “Gorkhaland” on government office signboards, the party activists had on Friday painted black the signboards of some government offices in Darjeeling.

In Kurseong, the GJM activists had painted black signboards of West Bengal Electricity Distribution Company Limited, State Bank of India, Central Bank of India and Allahabad Bank. Although GJM leaders claimed that they had sent letters to government offices requesting them to replace “West Bengal” on their signboards with “Gorkhaland”, government officials remained tightlipped on the matter.

GJM leaders said that the drive will be in full swing from Monday. On Sunday, the GJM will burn “western” clothes, such as jeans and T-shirts, at the Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan grounds.

“Since our agitation is based on Gandhian principles, we have decided to do away with western clothes, which are detracting our youth and damaging our rich culture,” said Dinesh Gurng, adviser to the GJM town committee.