Three supporters of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) were killed when security personnel opened fire on protestors in Darjeeling district of West Bengal state, India on Saturday.

Clashes were reported in the hill district since morning today as GJM cadres staged demonstration against the police raid in Gorkha Janamukti Morcha's office two days ago.

Eyewitness said security personnel initially fired tear gas shells to disperse the GJM protestors pelting stones at them, and later resorted to firing after the protest turned violent. 

Gorkha Janamukti Morcha Joint Secretary Binaya Tamang said the deceased have been identified as Bimal Shah Shankar, Sunil Rai and Mahesh Gurung. Gurung died on his way to Siliguri while the two other died on the spot. 

Scores others were injured in the firing. They are receiving treatment at various hospitals in Darjeeling and Siliguri.

There were reports of death of an assistant commandant of the India Reserve Battalion but the death has not been confirmed yet.

Hindustantimes.com has reported, quoting a local source, that an Indian Reserve Battalion officer was stabbed and killed today as the security forces struggled to contain the agitating mob who were in thousands.

The situation in Darjeeling has remained tense following the incident.

Bengal's chief minister Mamata Banerjee blamed Morcha of sharing ties with some terrorist organisations during meeting with representatives from various ethnic boards. She said such terrorist organisations were abetting the violence in the region.

The agitation in Darjeeling intensified after the West Bengal government announced making Bengali a mandatory language in schools.