Sikkim police bring murder charges against Kalimpong Police Superintendent

The deceased was identified as Dawa Bhutia (34 yrs), from Pedong, Kalimpong.

Darjeeling, September 1: In a standoff between the Sikkim and West Bengal police, over jurisdiction issues and a dead body, a murder case has been registered at the Namchi Police Station against the Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong and his team.

Seven police personnel including officers of West Bengal police have been detained
at Namchi police station in South Sikkim. Along with this three vehicles of the West Bengal police has also been seized by the Sikkim police.

According to the Sikkim police on Friday afternoon around 7 to 10 vehicles bearing West Bengal number plates entered Sikkim from the Melli check post in South Sikkim. When they were questioned they said that they were on the way to Buddha Park in Ravangla.

After crossing over the vehicles divided into two teams. While one team proceeded to Namchi (South district headquarters) in Sikkim the other halted at Sadam. In Sadam there was an alleged shootout. A dead body was later found by the Sikkim police.

The deceased was identified as Dawa Bhutia (34 yrs), from Pedong, Kalimpong. He was the driver of Dawa Lepcha, former GTA sabha member. The dead body bearing a gunshot wound was taken to the Namchi hospital in Sikkim.

"We have initiated a case against the Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong and team under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the above incident. Three vehicles of the West Bengal police have also been seized " stated Pratap Pradhan, Senior Superintendent of Police, South district, Sikkim.

Apparently, the other team of West Bengal police in Namchi swept upon Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders gathered to hold a Central Committee meeting. 11 persons including key GJM leaders were rounded up.

The GJM leaders rounded up include Sabitri Rai- former nominated GTA member; Shanker Adhikari; Hemant Gautam, Raj Thapa. Along with them there was one Jagdish Singh and Bimal Rai both from South Sikkim.

As the West Bengal police could not produce any arrest warrants, transit remand or other court orders nor had taken permission from the Sikkim police to enter Sikkim, the persons rounded up were released by the Sikkim police.

Till this report was filed 7 police personnel and officers from West Bengal were detained by the Sikkim police at the Namchi police station.

GJM President Bimal Gurung along with Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha President Prakash Gurung managed to give the police a slip. The duo have been implicated in the Kalimpong police station explosion case of August 19. Charges have been brought against them under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

"The Sikkim police have also seized three vehicles of the West Bengal police team apparently abandoned by them when they were fleeing after the shootout toward Melli" stated the source.

The West Bengal police remained tightlipped about the incident. Lookout notices have been issued by the West Bengal police against Bimal Gurung, Prakash Gurung and General Secretary Roshan Giri. They have been declared "absconding."

The move comes in an effort to stop them from crossing international borders. Lookout notices are usually used at immigration checks in international borders.

In another incident, police arrested GJM leader Suraj Bagdas from kalimpong in connection with the torching of Sanjay Moktan's house. Moktan is the President of the Tamang Development and Cultural Board.

OneIndia News