Opposition sees as a well-orchestrated drama to free Nicole Tamang

Aug. 22: The ABGL today expressed “shock” over the nature in which a prime accused in a sensitive case could “walk out of the CID camp”.

Dawa Sherpa, working president of the ABGL and also a former IPS officer, said: “We are shocked at the state of affairs. We do not rule out the possibility of a well-orchestrated drama (to free Nickole Tamang). How could have he walked out of the CID camp, when he was supposed to be in a special custody? This defies all logic.”

The ABGL has also called a general strike across the hills on August 24. “We want him to be re-arrested as immediately as possible,” said Sherpa over the phone from Delhi.

The CPRM said the unfolding drama had given indications that there could be some “understanding between the Bengal government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha”.

“Nickole was arrested a day before the tripartite talks in Delhi. He was, however, not taken into police custody immediately. But when there was a public resentment, the CID sought his custody,” said D.S. Bomzom, a spokesperson for the CPRM.

“Again, after the Morcha indirectly hinted at leaving out the Dooars and the Terai from the interim set-up for the hills during a meeting in Darjeeling yesterday, we get to know that Nickole has escaped. There is enough scope for us to suspect that there is some understanding between the Bengal government and the Morcha,” he added.

Bengal urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya dismissed the Morcha’s charge that the police had liquidated Nickole Tamang.

“It is a baseless allegation. The Morcha is trying to create a propaganda in the hills to project Nickole, a suspected murderer, as an honourable man,” he said in Siliguri today. He demanded a probe into Nickole’s escape and sought action on the policemen. “It is a shame that a prime accused in the Madan Tamang murder case could escape while being in police remand. We want an inquiry and action against the men found guilty,” said the minister.

Shanta Chhetri, the GNLF MLA from Kurseong, said she would raise the issue in the Assembly and demand action against the CID officers.

Source: The Telegraph