Two killed as clashes hit Indian hill resort

DARJEELING // Hundreds of protesters yesterday paraded with coffins containing the bodies of two men they claimed were killed in clashes with Indian security forces in Darjeeling, as the hill resort reels from separatist unrest.

Nearly 50 people, mostly police, have been injured in riots and arson attacks that have gripped the hill resort for more than a week at the height of the tourist season.

Thousands of mostly Indian tourists have fled.

As the violence escalated on Saturday, protesters torched cars and attacked police with knives. Authorities responded with tear gas and baton charges.

“A man was killed and at least 35 policemen were injured yesterday,” said Anuj Sharma, director general of West Bengal state police. Police have denied using live ammunition.

But supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha – a separatist movement that has long called for a separate state for ethnic Gorkhas in West Bengal – dispute this, saying three of their comrades were shot dead by police in the clashes.

Hundreds of mourners yesterday silently escorted the coffins of two men through the streets of Darjeeling, waving India’s tricolour flag and posters calling for peace. A spokesman for GJM said the body of the third alleged victim was in a hospital awaiting post mortem.