Two groups of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters clashed here today over the selection of a candidate

Darjeeling, Nov 6: Two groups of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters clashed here today over the selection of a candidate for the civic elections in the hills, the first to be held in seven years.

The fisticuffs and fight with chairs over at Hari Mohan Hall two prospective women candidates injured two persons who have been admitted to the Darjeeling district hospital.

Trouble started soon after Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri and other senior central committee members left the hall where a meeting was held around 11am to decide on the party’s candidate for Ward 17.

Sandhya Gurung, a Nari Morcha leader from the area, said: “It was an open session. The majority of the people present supported Binita Roka as the candidate for Ward 17. The Morcha central committee leadership also accepted the majority opinion and selected Binita.”

But after the meeting, when Giri and other leaders left the venue, supporters of Pranita Chhetri, who wanted her to be fielded, allegedly attacked those who were backing Binita.

“They broke the chairs in the hall and randomly beat up Binita’s supporters. Even a 16-year-old girl, who had come to meet her mother, was not spared,” said Sandhya.

She alleged that the attack was orchestrated by Tarak Mukhia, the Morcha president of Ward 17. “How can Tarak Mukhia go against the party and the public choice?” asked Sandhya.

Tarak could not be reached.

Police sources confirmed that Sapan Khadka, a party worker, has lodged an FIR against Tarak, Yogesh Rai, Naresh Pradhan and 10 others for orchestrating the attack.

“Sudhir Tamang and Binod Sunwar have been hospitalised. We have already started investigations based on the FIR,” said the police source.

Morcha general secretary Giri said: “ Binita Roka will continue to remain our candidate and we will take necessary action against those who created the ruckus.”