Past haunts GJM leaders

In a dramatic change of the scenario, the Gorkha Jan Mukti (GJM) leaders led by Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri had a taste of the ire of their own people in the Darjeeling hills today as their convoy was gheraoed and blocked for hours at Jorbunglow near Ghum. In the morning, they decided to return to Darjeeling from Kalimpong.

They realised the protest against the killing of Gorkha League (GL) leader Madan Tamang was turning into a no-trust against them. Madan Tamang was killed by some youth allegedly belonging to the GJM on Friday last.

Yesterday, thousands took part in the last journey of Madan Tamang and they became violent and many were seen to be tearing apart the GJM banners and flags in Darjeeling. Feeling the heat, 10 senior members of the GJM central committee resigned in the past two days. Today, as they reached Jorbunglow, they faced a human shield which blocked their way. Led by GL and CPRM activists, there were hundreds who were determined not to allow the GJM leaders to enter Darjeeling.

Finally, the people lifted the blockade. Earlier, the GJM leaders had announced a 2,000-strong procession in the town as a show of strength.

The participants were asked to carry Khukri (the dagger carried by the Gorkhas as part of their tradition). But fearing further violence, the district administration promulgated Sec 144 in Darjeeling and did not allow the GJM procession.

According to Gorkha League supporters, the main reason behind killing Madan Tamang had to do with a scheme where the GJM leaders and a section of the local administration were involved. Recently, BL Meena, the Jalpaiguri Divisional Commissioner and the ex-officio executive officer of the Darjeeling Hill Council criticised the GJM saying that huge funds under various heads for the hill development had come to naught and a good portion of it had been siphoned off.

Though Meena did not directly accuse the GJM leaders, it is well known that the GJM is running the entire administration there. According to GL sources, Madan Tamang, who was critical of the GJM leadership, had gathered documents by applying through RTI.

He was about to spill the bean about the nexus between the administration, GJM leaders and some contractors. So, Tamang’s death must have come as a relief to many.

It is perhaps not without reason that despite his repeated appeal the administration did not take proper security measures to protect him. Now, it is to be seen whether people could force police to reach at the bottom of the case or not.