The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has not spelt out its plan of action against Madan Tamang but anxiety gripped Darjeeling after the expiry of the deadline today.
Bimal Gurung’s outfit had given the ABGL president time till 6pm today to prove his allegation that the Morcha relaxed its movement after a secret meeting with home secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborti at Takdah on October 11.
“He has to prove the allegation by 6pm this evening or else the previous story (Subash Ghisingh’s ouster from the hills) could be repeated. He has become a thorn for the public and the people should be aware of it. Police should give him more security and if he wants to go to China or Malaysia, he can,” Gurung said in a public address in Chowrastha.
Although no leave-the-hills diktat has been issued against Tamang yet, Gurung’s statement amply hints that a similar movement against the ABGL leader is not far away.
Tamang’s allegation came soon after the Morcha had announced on October 22 that it would not force vehicles to use “GL” number plates while travelling to the hills and would stop its drive to delete “Bengal” from government signboards.
The relaxations were made purportedly on the request of governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who said a healthy atmosphere should be maintained before the next tripartite meeting.
Tamang, who, has refused to “bow down”, said: “I am ready to die but will not be pressured into doing anything. Is this democracy?”
Indicating that his party was unwilling to tie up with “Opposition” forces, Gurung said: “Just as the all-party chapter is closed because the outfits had done nothing other than derail our movement, the chapter of Opposition will be closed from tomorrow.” The Morcha had taken an eight-party delegation that comprised members of the ABGL and the CPRM also to Delhi for the first round of the tripartite meeting.
The Darjeeling district administration has already made arrangements to ensure security for Tamang and has asked council employees to attend offices. “He (Tamang), however, had not sought any security,” said Surendra Gupta, the district magistrate of Darjeeling.
“We have also asked all officers of the DGHC to report for duty as usual on Monday. In case they find the offices closed, I will inform the home secretary,” he added.
District police chief Rahul Srivastava said a deputy superintendent had been entrusted with the security of Tamang.
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