The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) alleged that Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters who were in Bimal Gurung's convoy attacked a vehicle carrying GNLF supporters returning from Subash Ghisingh's funeral prayer at Ghoom this evening.
There were four persons in the vehicle that was attacked.
Immediately after the incident, which took place around 3.40pm near the Ghoom railway station, GNLF supporters staged a demonstration in front of the Jorebunglow police station, which brought the traffic to halt for almost two-and-a-half-hours along NH55.
Bishal Mukhia, a GNLF supporter from Pokhriabong area, who was injured in the incident, said: "We were coming after attending the funeral prayer of our leader when Bimal Gurung's convoy stopped our vehicle and the Morcha members beat us up."
Ghisingh died on January 29 and 21-day funeral prayers are being conducted at his house on Dr Zakhir Hussain Road. Relatives, well wishers and those who attended the funeral, take part in these prayers.
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A windowpane of the Maruti Alto in which the GNLF supporters were travelling was also allegedly smashed.
The driver of the vehicle was injured, but did not want to be named. He said: "My vehicle had been hired and I am not affiliated to any political party. The dajus in my vehicle were shouting slogans and suddenly a convoy stopped and started attacking us. The attackers also took away my car's key," said the driver.
The driver, however, did not clarify the content of the slogan as he refused to speak further to the media.
Another GNLF supporter who was protesting, however, said the GNLF supporters were just putting up slogans like: Long Live Subash Ghisingh.
"In a democracy we have the right to put up such slogans. Even Bimal Gurung stepped out of his convoy," he said.
Nawal Bomzom, president of GNLF Pokhriabong committee, said: "Bimal Gurung's convoy stopped on seeing our party flag and even a police constable in his convoy was involved in the attack."
Gurung's convoy usually consists of a police pilot and a police vehicle. In today's convoy, there were other vehicles, which were returning after attending a GTA event at Maneybhanjyang, about 24km from Darjeeling.
M.G. Subba, the convenor of GNLF's Darjeeling Branch Committee, today said: "We have filed an FIR against Bimal Gurung and others. The police have given us an assurance to arrest the culprits within 24 hours. If the police fail to make any arrest, we can even go for a 24 hour general strike in the hills."
Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, however, denied that Bimal Gurung's convoy was involved in the attack.
"Bimal Gurung was returning from Maneybhanjyang today when GNLF supporters who were drunk used filthy language and tried to misbehave with the convoy. It is after this incident that the public reacted. We have also filed an FIR."
Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi, the Darjeeling superintendent of police, said: "There has been an incident in which GNLF supporters have been allegedly assaulted by Morcha supporters. We are taking all legal action."
Gurung was today returning from Maneybhanjyang after inaugurating a Rs 38 crore road strengthening and improvement project from Maneybhanjyang to Sandakphu-Phalut, which are the highest points in Bengal, situated at 12,000 feet.
Source: Telegraph
Immediately after the incident, which took place around 3.40pm near the Ghoom railway station, GNLF supporters staged a demonstration in front of the Jorebunglow police station, which brought the traffic to halt for almost two-and-a-half-hours along NH55.
Bishal Mukhia, a GNLF supporter from Pokhriabong area, who was injured in the incident, said: "We were coming after attending the funeral prayer of our leader when Bimal Gurung's convoy stopped our vehicle and the Morcha members beat us up."
Ghisingh died on January 29 and 21-day funeral prayers are being conducted at his house on Dr Zakhir Hussain Road. Relatives, well wishers and those who attended the funeral, take part in these prayers.
Watch Video
A windowpane of the Maruti Alto in which the GNLF supporters were travelling was also allegedly smashed.
The driver of the vehicle was injured, but did not want to be named. He said: "My vehicle had been hired and I am not affiliated to any political party. The dajus in my vehicle were shouting slogans and suddenly a convoy stopped and started attacking us. The attackers also took away my car's key," said the driver.
The driver, however, did not clarify the content of the slogan as he refused to speak further to the media.
Another GNLF supporter who was protesting, however, said the GNLF supporters were just putting up slogans like: Long Live Subash Ghisingh.
"In a democracy we have the right to put up such slogans. Even Bimal Gurung stepped out of his convoy," he said.
Nawal Bomzom, president of GNLF Pokhriabong committee, said: "Bimal Gurung's convoy stopped on seeing our party flag and even a police constable in his convoy was involved in the attack."
Gurung's convoy usually consists of a police pilot and a police vehicle. In today's convoy, there were other vehicles, which were returning after attending a GTA event at Maneybhanjyang, about 24km from Darjeeling.
M.G. Subba, the convenor of GNLF's Darjeeling Branch Committee, today said: "We have filed an FIR against Bimal Gurung and others. The police have given us an assurance to arrest the culprits within 24 hours. If the police fail to make any arrest, we can even go for a 24 hour general strike in the hills."
Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, however, denied that Bimal Gurung's convoy was involved in the attack.
"Bimal Gurung was returning from Maneybhanjyang today when GNLF supporters who were drunk used filthy language and tried to misbehave with the convoy. It is after this incident that the public reacted. We have also filed an FIR."
Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi, the Darjeeling superintendent of police, said: "There has been an incident in which GNLF supporters have been allegedly assaulted by Morcha supporters. We are taking all legal action."
Gurung was today returning from Maneybhanjyang after inaugurating a Rs 38 crore road strengthening and improvement project from Maneybhanjyang to Sandakphu-Phalut, which are the highest points in Bengal, situated at 12,000 feet.
Source: Telegraph
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