Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung has called up the Siliguri Police Commissionerate to say that some persons were allegedly extorting traders using his name.
The matter came to light on Monday when a Siliguri-based businessman called on GJM general secretary Roshan Giri and and told him about it.
"A businessman from Siliguri has informed me that a person taking our party president's name had called him up and demanded money for party activities," said Giri.
The businessman refused comply and asked the caller to hand over the phone to the GJM president, to which the caller said our party president was busy in an emergency meeting and it was not possible to speak to him at that moment, he said.
The GJM general secretary appealed to the traders not to entertain such demands and to report the matter immediately to the police.
"Some anti-social elements are trying to take advantage and misuse our party's name. We appeal to all traders to report such matter to the police. Our party does not indulge in such unscrupulous activities," said Giri.
Though Gurung did not record any written complaint with the police, Siliguri police Commissioner Jag Mohan confirmed receiving a call from the GJM general secretary on the extortion issue.
"The GJM leader called me yesterday on some unidentified person demanding money from a businessman taking Gurung's name. We cannot take any action unless we receive a written complaint, but have already started investigating the matter," he said.
"We have not yet lodged a formal complaint, but will definitely do so if such demands recur," added Giri.
