Overview
- Police fired tear gas, used water cannons and carried out a mild lathi charge near Tin Batti More to stop the march, with injuries reported and at least 16 protesters detained.
- The demonstration sought capital punishment for an arrested civic volunteer and the immediate arrest of four others alleged to have taken part in the assault.
- Protesters also pressed for application of provisions under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case.
- The march featured BJP participation, including MLAs Shikha Chatterjee and Durga Murmu, and followed Darjeeling MP Raju Bista’s outreach to the victim’s family and authorities.
- Officials said the situation was brought under control with heightened security, as political exchanges intensified between BJP leaders and TMC’s Gautam Deb over responsibility for the violence and the case.