Ghisingh unable to return to Darjeeling

Siliguri, Mar 6 (UNI) Gorkha National Liberation Front(GNLF) Chief Subash Ghisingh was today once again unable to enter Darjeeling due to security concerns and stiff opposition from the GJM activists.

Although, Mr Ghisingh seemed to toe the line of the GJM with his statehood demands for Darjeeling, GJM spokeperson Benoy Tamang reiterated that he will not be allowed back in until he gave up his post as caretaker administrator. He is presently at the district's Electricity department guesthouse under Bhaktinagar police station.

Incidentally, only four days are left in his tenure as the caretaker administrator of the district.

Despite the GNLF chief's assurances of resigning, the GJM members activists made it clear that they will have it no other way than to see him resign before he enters the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).

However, police sources have said that Mr Ghisingh is planning on resigning at Siliguri.

Special IG, Jalpaiguri Range, Adhir Sharma said, ''In order to avoid any untoward incident, we have opted out of bringing Mr Ghisingh to the Pintail village guesthouse, since it falls under DGHC and there is a fair chance of trouble erupting just four days before he actually resigns.'' The Indian Reserve Battalion, who were previously deployed for Mr Ghisingh's security, could not be brought back from Nandigram for his safety this time, police said.

He was escorted from the Bagdogra airport to the guesthouse on a different route to avoid any possible violence.

GJM activists have, meanwhile, set up pickets at some of the crucial areas of the district, including Ghoom, Kurseong, Sonada, Jorbunglow.

Meanwhile, Bimal Gurung is expexcted to return tomorrow, police sources said.

UNI XC LL MP BST0058