A massive search operation was launched by the West Bengal Police on Saturday in the Darjeeling hills and adjoining areas for the absconding GJM supremo Bimal Gurung, even as the indefinite shutdown for a separate Gorkhaland entered its 80th day. West Bengal Minister Gautam Deb has accused the Sikkim Government and police administration of helping Gurung and his associates to flee.
“They (Sikkim government) have been helping the GJM. The Sikkim government and the police administration have helped Bimal Gurung and his associates to flee. They are giving protection to Gurung,” he told a Bengali TV channel on Saturday.
The Sikkim Government might have a “hidden agenda” behind its alleged move to help Gurung flee during a raid by the West Bengal police in that state on Friday, he said.
“Whatever the Sikkim government and their police department are doing is totally unconstitutional. When the unrest in the Darjeeling hills started they supported GJM’s demand of separate state of Gorkhaland,” he said.
A lookout notice had been issued against Gurung, who has cases under the UAPA against him, on Friday for his alleged involvement in various cases, including a bomb blast in Kalimpong police station in which a civic volunteer was killed.
Gurung had described the issuance of the lookout notice against him as a “conspiracy” by the West Bengal Government.
“I had condemnded the bomb blasts. We are holding the agitation in a democratic manner,” he said in an audio message from an unknown location which was broadcast by a TV channnel.
The shutdown in the hills is on after Gurung revoked party convenor Tamang’s decision of suspending it till September 12, when the next round of dialogue with the State Government is scheduled.
The GJM chief had also expelled Tamang on Friday on the charge of “violating the party line and indulging in anti- party activities