Three arrested for Bengal police officer's killing in Darjeeling

Three people have been arrested here in connection with the killing of West Bengal Police Sub Inspector Amitava Malik, said a senior police officer on Wednesday.

Malik was shot dead while three other policemen were injured in an exchange of fire between police and Gorkha Janamukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung's followers in Darjeeling's Patlebas on October 13.

"Shyam Kami, 30, Mahindra Kami, 29 and Dewaj Lepcha, 30, have been arrested from Darjeeling's Pulbazar on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the October 13 case," said Special Superintendent of Police, CID, Ajay Prasad.

"The arrested persons have been slapped with charges of murder (IPC 302), attempt to murder (IPC 307), criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B), voluntarily causing hurt (IPC 323) and various sections of the Arms Act," he added.

Malik was part of a police team that raided a forested area close to Gurung's residence at Patlebas on October 13 in order to catch the GJM supremo who has been in hiding since a lookout notice was issued against him.

Though police failed to catch Gurung, it allegedly seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 assault rifle and gelatin sticks, from the camp.

The state CID department took charge of the case from state police on October 23.

--IANS

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