Darjeeling protests: Cop stabbed, GJM claims 2 killed; Mamata denies deaths

Violent protests for statehood convulsed Darjeeling on Saturday as a security personnel was stabbed and local leaders claimed police firing killed two workers in clashes.

Local sources said Kiran Tamang, an India Reserve Battalion officer, was stabbed in the back with a traditional Gorkha knife as security forces struggled to contain thousands-strong mobs that torched police vehicles and ransacked government property, shouting anti-government slogans.

"Five years you enjoyed, now when elections are coming you



start violence because you have lost credibility," chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in Kolkata, hitting out at the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha that is leading the demonstrations. She denied all deaths in the clashes and said Tamang was critical.

But GJM assistant secretary Binay Tamang alleged that two supporters were gunned down by the police . Additional director general of police (law and order) Anuj Sharma denied police had shot at protesters but local television footage showed forces firing bullets in the air.