Jalpaiguri (WB), Nov 07: Commandos were today deployed and patrolling by paramilitary forces intensified in the Dalgaon Tea Garden area, even as the authorities conducted raids to arrest those directly or indirectly involved in the gruesome killing of 19 people following a labour dispute. So far, 109 people including 27 women have been arrested in connection with the massacre, DSP Siddhinath Gupta said, adding raids were continuing to arrest others directly or indirectly involved in yesterday's incident.
Jawans of the Eastern Frontier Rifles, Rapid Action Force and district and state armed police were patrolling the garden which was closed since the incident yesterday. Commandos had also taken position in several sensitive areas, officials said.
Meanwhile the district today witnessed a partial bandh, called by the CPI(ML), to protest the massacre.
Although schools, colleges, shops, markets remained closed and only a few private buses rolled out onto the streets, work was normal in government offices. Government buses also plied as usual, officials said.
A four-member RSP team today visited the spot and appealed to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to take immediate measures to prevent recurrence of any such incident.
Bureau Report