Suo Motu FIR Filed Against GJM Chief After Sub Inspector’s Death

Clashes erupted between Kolkata Police and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters in Darjeeling's Takvar on 13 October.

On 27 September, GJM chief Bimal Gurung suspended the indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling, 105 days after it brought life in the hills to a standstill.

• A sub-inspector was killed in clashes between Kolkata Police and GJM supporters in Darjeeling’s Takvar on 13 October
  
• Clashes erupted when police raided the area in search of GJM chief Bimal Gurung
  
• Police have recovered six AK 47s and one 9mm pistol from the supporters
  
• Gurung suspended the shutdown in Darjeeling on 27 September, 105 days after it was imposed
  

Suo Moto FIR Filed Against GJM Chief Gurung

An Indian Express report said that Darjeeling police filed a suo motu FIR against GJM leader Bimal Gurung and 20 others after sub-inspector Amitava Malik was killled following clashes between state police and the GJM chief’s alleged supporters.

"Will Not Let Darjeeling Turn Into Kashmir"

Expelled GJM leader and Chairman of the Board of Administrators (BoA) for Darjeeling Binay Tamang blamed party supremo Bimal Gurung for today’s violence in the hills and said the people of the region “will not allow Darjeeling to turn into Kashmir”.

We will not allow Darjeeling to turn into Kashmir. The people of the hills are peace-loving, they are not with Gurung and his politics of violence and bloodshed. There should be a proper inquiry into the violence and the culprits should be booked.

Binay Tamang

He told reports at the Kolkata airport: “After so many days of an indefinite shutdown, the people are happy that peace is returning to the hills. It is really unfortunate that when peace and stability are returning, Gurung and his men are making desperate attempts to disturb them. Gurung is entirely responsible for today's violence.”

Arms Recovered From GJM Supporters

West Bengal ADG Law and Order Anuj Sharma said that police have recovered six AK-47 rifles, and one 9mm pistol, ammunition, bombs and bomb making material. He added that they also have additional information that Bimal Gurung had “instructed” his cadres

We have specific information that Bimal Gurung had instructed his cadres to attack police parties & police personnel. We have information that Bimal Gurung has links with North-East insurgent groups and Maoists.

Anuj Sharma

He said the police faced "heavy fire power" from the group which led to the death of a police sub-inspector and injuries to four police personnel.

Sub-Inspector Killed During Clashes

Clashes erupted between Kolkata Police and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters in Darjeeling's Takvar on 13 October. One sub-inspector was killed in clashes, reported PTI.

Trouble started around 5 am in the morning, when a police search party raided a hideout inside the forest near the Patlebas area, a stronghold of Gurung, the police said.

Acting on an information that Gurung was hiding in the area, the police conducted raids during which the GJM leader's supporters fired and pelted stones.

Gurung has been hiding since August after cases under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were registered against him for his alleged involvement in various bomb blasts in Darjeeling and adjoining areas.

Several police personnel, including a sub-inspector, were injured in clashes with GJM supporters loyal to party supremo Bimal Gurung at a forest in the Darjeeling hills.

GJM leader Bimal Gurung on 27 September announced the withdrawal of its indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling, 105 days after the shutdown began.

The announcement came hours after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to them to call off the strike and invited them for talks to find an amicable solution to the issue.