Rebel GJM leader questions Gurung from Kurseong rally

Darjeeling, September 5, 2017: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha rebel leaders Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa have questioned why GJM President Bimal Gurung is so eager to send a GJM team to attend the next round of talks with the State Government slated for September 12 while the same person (Gurung) had taken the liberty to dub the duo "conspirators" just because they were willing to sit in talks with the State Government on 12th September.

Incidentally GJM Chief Coordinator Binay Tamang and GJM Central Committee leader from Kurseong Anit Thapa had been expelled from the GJM with President Bimal Gurung claiming that the duo in collusion with the State Government is trying to derail the ongoing Gorkhaland movement and sideline him.

Following a meeting with the State Government in Kolkata, Tamang on his way back to the Hills had stated that the Gorkhaland agitation would continue but it would adhere to democratic means. Following a Central Committee meeting in Kurseong, Tamang had announced the lifting of the ongoing indefinite bandh from September 1 to 12.
Tamang had decided that based on the outcome of the meeting on September 12 with the State Government at Uttarkanya near Siliguri, the GJM would decide on the future course of action.

Gurung was quick to react from his hideout. Dubbing Tamang and Thapa as "traitors," Gurung alleged that they were unilaterally trying to withdraw the bandh. He issued a diktat that from September 1 the bandh would be imposed even more stringently.

"Why do they want to attend talks on September 12 when Mamata Banerjee has clearly stated that the issue of Gorkhaland is not a state subject. We will now talk to the Union Government only" Gurung had remarked.

Tamang was first stripped off the "Chief Coordinator" post and then the duo were expelled from the primary membership of the GJM.

Gurung then turned volte-face and declared that he would send a team to attend talks with the State Government on September 12. "We will have to find out what the State Government brings to the table and act accordingly" Gurung had stated.

A rally took to the streets in Kurseong on Monday led by Thapa. People in muffled tones claimed that Thapa would force open shops.

Speculation of clashes between pro-bandh and anti-bandh factions prompted heavy police bandobast. Police and para military forces patrolled the streets in Kurseong. At around 9:30am the rally commenced from Giddey Mandir area around 3 km away from Kurseong town.

Just when the rally was entering town a group of people joined in from Dhobikhola shouting "Jai Bimal, Jai Bimal. Anit-Bimal bhai bhai. We want Gorkhaland."
The rally after passing through the main thoroughfares of the town culminated in a street corner near the Railway station.

Thapa addressing the gathering stated "We were dubbed traitors and expelled from the party as we wanted to sit in the next round of talks with the State. Why is Bimal Gurung eager to send a representation to the same talks now? Does he want to create more traitors? They expelled us without a show cause from the party. However we will continue in this party as we had toiled relentlessly to float the party. We will continue our agitation for Gorkhaland from the GJM."

Thapa stated that he does not believe in guns and explosions. "Nothing can be achieved by violence. Finally all problems need to be resolved through dialogue." added Thapa.

"This rally is not to force people to open up. However the bandh has yielded no results whatsoever . I will soon sit with shop keepers, education institutes, taxi syndicates and the public and ask their views on the bandh. According wishes of the public and honouring public sentiment we will act" clarified Thapa. Monday saw the 83rd day of the bandh.

Binay Tamang will be taking out a peace rally and a candlelight vigil from the Darjeeling Chowrasta at 5pm on Tuesday.

Anuj Sharma, ADG (Law and Order) arrived in Darjeeling on Monday. Sources stated that he would review the Law and Order situation in Bengal.

Meanwhile an IED was lobbed at the residence of Prithvi Raj Sunwar on Sunday night. Sunwar is the father in law of Poonam Biswa, the TMC Councilor for Ward 2 of the Mirik Municipality. The socket bomb failed to explode. A large police team along with the bomb squad arrived and defused the bomb on Monday.

"The motive behind the explosion is to instill fear among the common people. Investigation are on. We will definitely bring the culprits to book" stated ADG Ranvir Kumar.

OneIndia News