Bharati Tamang begins indefinite hunger strike

Bharati Tamang, widow of slain All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader Madan Tamang, today began an indefinite hunger strike here to press for the arrest of those indicted in her husband's murder even as authorities urged her to revoke her decision, a police official said.
Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling, Amit Javalagi who was present at Chowrasta, the venue of the hunger strike, was seen speaking to Bharati as her supporters milled around.
The SP requested Tamang to desist from the hunger strike as it could create law and order problems.
Bharati resorted to fast unto death from this evening demanding that the CBI immediately arrest 23 Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders, including its president Bimal Gurung and his wife Asha, against whom the Calcutta High Court had issued warrants of arrest on June 6 for the murder of her husband on May 21, 2010.

Earlier in the day, the district administration refused permission to hold a public rally to the newly constituted united hill opposition group 'Democratic Front'.
Following the development, the Democratic Front called a meeting of its constituents which was held at the GDNS hall here.

According to the Democratic Front spokesperson Shankar Subba, the meeting chalked out plans on the possible future strategies to restore democracy in the hills.
The Front had extended open invitation to the members of non-political groups, individuals and also political groups to attend today's meeting.
Taking exception to the administration for not granting them permission for a public meeting, AIGL leader Laxman Pradhan said that this was a "lop-sided decision" undertaken by the administration.

"They said this is tourist season in the hills, hence they cannot give permission for the meeting. Let me remind them that Madan Tamang was murdered in broad-day light during a tourist season as well and the administration had given us permission then (to hold a public meeting). Why are they not giving us permission now?" he asked.
Pradhan accused the administration of being "biased" against them.
Tamang was murdered while overseeing arrangements for the public meeting five years ago.