Darjeeling: Gorkha activist Mangal Singh Rajput dies of burns

Siliguri, Aug 3 (IBNS) Forty-five-year old Gorkha activist Mangal Singh Rajput, who set himself on fire on Tuesday at Dambar Chawk in Kalingpong on the second day of the indefinite Darjeeling shut down, died of burn injuries on Saturday, official sources said.

"The end came at 1830 hours," the medics, who had been attending on the injured, said.

Mangal Singh Rajput, a resident of Dr Graham Home, set himself on fire during slogans at Dambar Chawk area at around 2 pm hours on Tuesday.

He was rushed to a private nursing home on Sevok road with more than 60 percent burn.

The self-immolation death was first of its kind in Darjeeling since the Gorkhaland statehood demand began in the mid 80s.

Meanwhile, the indefinite Darjeeling shut down began Saturday crippled life completely in the hills.

An indefinite bandh called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) began in West Bengal's Darjeeling hills on Saturday in demand of a separate Gorkhaland state.

Darjeeling district magistrate Soumitra Mohan said besides eight companies of para-military forces, five of them Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and state armed police began route march in all vulnerable areas after the miscreants set on fire a police post and a government guest house on Friday.

There had been no untoward incident in the morning after the security forces searched possible hideouts for the miscreants, who set on fire those government property, reports said.

The gun wielding security convoy also guarding some 70 kms stretch between Rangpo, gateway to Sikkim and Sevok near Siliguri, to keep open the lifeline of landlocked Sikkim.

Roads, nearly all in Darjeeling hills , were empty as no vehicles except police cars were seen on Saturday. Tea gardens shut their gates and all the government offices have been closed since Monday last.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, who is now camping in New Delhi seeking appointment with the central leaders, particularly the Congress, said their indefinite shut down would have a break on Aug 15 to allow the people to celebrate the Independence Day.