Court issues arrest warrant against GJM leaders in Madan Tamang case

SILIGURI: The Kolkata City Sessions Court has issued arrest warrants against the top leaders of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha ( GJM) in connection with the murder of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League president Madan Tamang.

GJM, which rules Darjeeling’s autonomous administrative body --Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)-- is the strongest political force in the region. The party has not yet come out with any action plan following the court order, which was issued on Saturday.

Tamang was killed on May 21, 2010 just before he was to address a public meeting. The prime accused in the case, Nickol Tamang, though arrested, disappeared mysteriously from CID custody near Siliguri three months later. The case was then taken up by the CBI following a high court directive.

The CBI submitted its chargesheet on May 29 with names of 23 persons, including GJM president Bimal Gurung, his wife and almost all front liners of GJM.

While most GJM leaders declined to comment, one of them said, “We are cross checking all the legal and political options to take up against this charge sheet.”

The hill dwellers ET spoke with said the development could lead to unrest in the region.

“It will be too difficult if it happens, as it is the peak of tourist season,” said a tour operator. “Any aggressive movement will cause problem for tea gardens as well as schools,” said the director of a tea garden in Darjeeling.