Gorkhaland Agitation: Arrest Warant Issued For GJM Chief, 7 Others

Police vehicles were attacked, one was killed and there was arson in Darjeeling on June 8.

GJM leader Bimal Gurung during a rally in Darjeeling. 

(Photo: The Quint)

An arrest warrant was issued, on Wednesday, against absconding Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung and seven others for their alleged involvement in the arson and violence reported from Darjeeling on June 8.

The arrest warrant was issued by the chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Darjeeling on a prayer by the CID. The warrant has been issued against Bimal Gurung and seven others for their involvement in the arson and violence that took place outside the Bhanu Bhawan in Darjeeling on June 8.

Ajoy Prasad, special superintendent, CID.

The seven others are GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, GJM Yuva Morcha president Prakash Gurung, Amrit Yonzon, Ashok Chhetri, D K Pradhan, Tilak Roka and Asha Gurung, the GJM Mahila Morcha chief and wife of Bimal Gurung.

The GJM is spearheading the agitation, which has continued for over two-and-a-half months in the Darjeeling hills over the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Last week, the West Bengal police had issued a lookout notice against Gurung for his alleged involvement in various cases, including a bomb blast at the Kalimpong police station where a civic volunteer was killed.

On June 8 there was violence and arson while GJM members marched to the Raj Bhavan in Darjeeling, where a cabinet meeting presided by CM Mamata Banerjee was being held.

The Army was deployed after the protesters damaged and set police vehicles ablaze, prompting the men in uniform to fire teargas shells and lathicharge.