GJM front rung leader and former GTA Sabhasad arrested

Darjeeling, August 5, 2017: Norbu G Lama, a heavy weight Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader and former Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Sabhasad of Tukdah Teesta Valley was arrested from Siliguri on Saturday. He was arrested by the CID in connection with the incidents of unrest in Darjeeling town on June 8.

Norbu G Lama has been arrested by the CID" stated Akhilesh Chaturvedi, Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling. CID officers confirmed the arrest.

Lama in his mid 40s is a front rung GJM leader. During the recent agitation for Gorkhaland, Lama was appointed as the spokesperson by the party.

Lama was produced at the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (ACJM,) Siliguri on Saturday. The CID had prayed for 7 days of remand.

Gobind Chettri, the Defence lawyer had moved a bail prayer arguing that Lama's name does not feature in the FIR in connection with the Darjeeling Sadar Police station case in connection with the June 8 incident. He further argued that Lama is a cardiac patient having undergone Bypass surgery. The prayer was challenged by Assistant Public Prosecutor Sudip Roy Basunia arguing that Lama needed to be questioned regarding the incident.

The FIR has 36 names and "others. " Lama has been charged under different sections of the IPC relating to rioting, arson, criminal conspiracy read with sections of the Arms Act and Explosives Act in connection with the June 8 incident.

Sujit Kumar Bandopadhyaya, ACJM, Siliguri rejected the bail prayer and remanded Lama to 7 days of police custody. The Judge while remanding Lama to police custody instructed that Lama should receive special medical attention as he is a cardiac patient and no force should be used during questioning.

According to the CID, Lama had been arrested from Salugarah at around 8:30pm on Friday. It has been learnt that Lama had gone down to Siliguri for his son's treatment. He will be lodged at the Siliguri police station during the remand period.

On June 8, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters had clashed with the security forces in Darjeeling town. Police reports claim that more than 45 security force personnel were injured in the clash. A police booth was set on fire. 15 police vehicles were torched along with a State Government Bus. Army was deployed in Darjeeling, Ghoom and Kurseong to control the situation.

On that day GJM had taken out rallies and staged a sit in demonstration a short distance away from the Raj Bhawan where the State Cabinet meeting was taking place. The rallies arrived from Singmari, Darjeeling Railway Station and Batasia Loop at the Gorkha Ranga Mancha Bhawan and staged a sit in demonstration.

At around 3pm the GJM supporters torched an effigy of the CM. Suddenly there were stones being pelted and amidst shouts a stampede ensued. Some people even tried to bring down the police barricade.

Police resorted to baton charge and bursting tear gas shells. A pitched battle ensued with police personnel, CRPF including lady police personnel and officers injured. 5 GJM supporters were also injured. Finally at around 5pm the situation was diffused and the GJM supporters and leaders left the area.

At around 7pm the 28 ministers who had attended the State Cabinet meeting had left Darjeeling for Siliguri. CM Mamata Banerjee however had stayed back to oversee the situation. At 8pm the army had been deployed and started flag marching.

OneIndia News