GJM demands ouster of ABGL president

Siliguri, Oct 25 (UNI) The GJM cadres today gheraoed Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) president Madan Tamang's residence in Darjeeling and demanded his ouster from the hill areas, alleging that he had been trying to defame the GJM.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here yesterday, GJM president Bimal Gurung said, ''The ABGL president has been spreading false stories about the GJM and trying to derail the peoples' movement.'' On Thursday, Mr Tamang had alleged that the GJM's withdrawal of the name change movement was a pre-planned move, taken even before the meeting with Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi in Darjeeling.

Mr Tamang had accused the GJM president of secretly meeting Home Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty when he had arrived at Darjeeling a fortnight ago and planning everything in advance. The withdrawal of the movement after the meeting with the Governor was an eyewash, he had alleged.

Reacting against the allegations, Mr Gurung said, ''Mr Tamang must substantiate his accusations with proof within November 7 or else leave the hills. In case he fails to provide proof, the GJM will not be responsible for any law and order problems arising out of the situation.'' The GJM leader also reiterated his claim of forming a separate state of Gorkhaland by March 2010.

Meanwhile, Mr Tamang said, ''The dirty politics going on in the hills is an open secret and the hill people know it.'' Additional security forces had been deployed in the area to tackle any eventuality. However, the situation was peaceful with no untoward incident being reported so far, police said.

UNI XC-DPM PL BDP RL HT1544