Darjeeling, June 18 (IANS): Massive protests in Darjeeling and sporadic incidents of violence in Kalimpong and Kurseong marked the GJM-called "black day" in the north Bengal hills on Sunday while its 12-hour strike in Dooars -- foothills covering parts of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts -- received lukewarm response.
However, there were no reports of fresh clashes between the agitators and the security forces in Darjeeling.
Thousands of protestors took out rallies on the streets of Darjeeling amid tight security, including by army patrols, to mark the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha's protest against alleged killing of its three activists in police firing and also pressing the demand of a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, June 18: Days after Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu called his counterpart Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma a mere minister who lacked leadership qualities and Congress a party with no liability, Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) president Richard M. Marak on Sunday called Khandu a leader whose greed comes over the welfare of the people who elected him and the INC party through which he won and became the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh.

Staff Reporter
TURA, June 18: Despite the United Democratic Party (UDP) coming down heavily on Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) for not providing electricity for over one and half months to Rari village, nothing visible has been done so far and the village is still reeling under darkness.
 “This does not make sense. In this modern age how long does it take for a transformer to be transported to the village and set up? Can’t they understand the plight of school going children at a time when education in Garo Hills is near the bottom of the country? This reeks of ignorance and incompetence,” said Anand Marak, the joint secretary of UDP.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, June 18: The headache of demonetization may have receded but another has hit bank customers of late.
 With the decision of the union government to charge a minimum amount per transaction for cash deposits and withdrawals beyond three to four free transactions in a month, ranging from nationalized to private sector banks, the customers are a harrowed lot.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, June 18: The nonstop rainfall that was witnessed in the city and the state at large for the last couple of weeks has revealed much civic mess. Over flowing clogged public drains, roads and lanes flowing like rivers with rainwater, strewn garbage emanating foul stench and landfalls were part and parcel of this year’s monsoon that is intensifying every new day. Jail Road, Polo, Laban, Laitumkhrah, Malki are some of the areas in the city among others where rain played havoc over the last few weeks.

DARJEELING, June 17 (IANS): Trouble-hit Darjeeling and other areas in the north West Bengal hills on Saturday saw fresh violence and arson, as GJM activists, including the women’s wing, came out on the streets in hundreds to protest an alleged police raid on the residence of party assistant General Secretary Binay Tamang.
The area virtually turned into a battlefield as protests marked the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s (GJM) indefinite shutdown which entered the sixth day. The GJM protest to demand a separate Gorkhaland is being countered by supporters of West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress.