Darjeeling, 27 Jan 2014: Six GTA members and a GJM youth leader, the last of those still behind bars since the latest statehood agitation in the Darjeeling hills last year, were today granted bail.
Speaking on their behalf after the court order, defence lawyer Seshmani Gurung said, “Additional district judge (2nd court) Swadesh Ranjan Ray today granted bail to the six GTA sabhasads and a GJM youth leader. They were released on the grounds that as a charge sheet has been filed against them, custodial detention was no longer required.”
The bail amount was fixed at Rs10,000 each without any surety needed. All the seven had been booked in the failed attempt to burn a forest bungalow in Rimbick on August 2, 2013.
The released GTA sabhasads are Anit Thapa from the Kurseong-Giddepahar constituency, Yogendra Rai from Kurseong, Anuj Thapa from Tung, Pranay Thapa from Pankhabari, Arun Sinjhi from Soureni and Mahendra Pradhan from the Sonada-Pachchyang constituency. Meanwhile, the youth GJM leader to get bail is Pasang Tamang from Kalimpong.
The Darjeeling Hills witnessed a renewed movement for statehood in August 2013 following the Centre’s decision to create a Telangana state by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. Hundreds of GJM activists including 12 GTA members had been arrested during that agitation.
Expressing happiness following the release of the remaining members, GJM assistant secretary and GTA executive member Binay Tamang said, “We had full faith on the judicial system of the country. We also appreciate and thank the support given by the district administration and the people during troubled times. With the seven leaders getting bail, all those who had been arrested are now free.”
Tamang was among the GTA members arrested in the August-September agitation and was released in December last before the court closed for winter recess.
He further said, “Now that all the GTA sabhasads have been released, we will focus our energy and time in developing the hills under the aegis of the GTA. We will also ensure peace continues to prevail. But to ensure this, we will need the support of the state government.”
Source : Telegraph
Speaking on their behalf after the court order, defence lawyer Seshmani Gurung said, “Additional district judge (2nd court) Swadesh Ranjan Ray today granted bail to the six GTA sabhasads and a GJM youth leader. They were released on the grounds that as a charge sheet has been filed against them, custodial detention was no longer required.”
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| Last Six GTA members and GJM leader granted bail |
The released GTA sabhasads are Anit Thapa from the Kurseong-Giddepahar constituency, Yogendra Rai from Kurseong, Anuj Thapa from Tung, Pranay Thapa from Pankhabari, Arun Sinjhi from Soureni and Mahendra Pradhan from the Sonada-Pachchyang constituency. Meanwhile, the youth GJM leader to get bail is Pasang Tamang from Kalimpong.
The Darjeeling Hills witnessed a renewed movement for statehood in August 2013 following the Centre’s decision to create a Telangana state by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. Hundreds of GJM activists including 12 GTA members had been arrested during that agitation.
Expressing happiness following the release of the remaining members, GJM assistant secretary and GTA executive member Binay Tamang said, “We had full faith on the judicial system of the country. We also appreciate and thank the support given by the district administration and the people during troubled times. With the seven leaders getting bail, all those who had been arrested are now free.”
Tamang was among the GTA members arrested in the August-September agitation and was released in December last before the court closed for winter recess.
He further said, “Now that all the GTA sabhasads have been released, we will focus our energy and time in developing the hills under the aegis of the GTA. We will also ensure peace continues to prevail. But to ensure this, we will need the support of the state government.”
Source : Telegraph
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