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Rabi Banerjee
Rabi Banerjee

DARJEELING

WB finds itself in a tight spot with SC order on withdrawal of central forces

Mamata-Banerjee2 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee | File

Withdrawal comes at a crucial time of increasing raids and arrests

The West Bengal government had a setback on Friday when the Supreme Court rejected the Calcutta High Court's earlier order and upheld the Centre's decision to withdraw central forces in a phased manner from Darjeeling.

According to the plan, more than half of the central forces are being withdrawn from the hills. The second batch would also leave in a phased manner. “The state government is misusing the central forces in Darjeeling. We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court. Let the Mamata Banerjee government manage the law and order situation as it’s their job,” said BJP state general secretary Biswapriyo Roychowdhury.

However, the state government has cried fowl in the Centre's decision to withdraw forces. North Bengal development minister Rabindranath Ghosh did not comment on the Supreme Court’s order but said, “The BJP government in Delhi was the reason behind the Darjeeling unrest. They supported the terror group. Now they are planning to withdraw forces to create more trouble in the area. They are forgetting the fact that ultras are operating in Darjeeling.”

The decision to withdraw the forces comes at a crucial time when the West Bengal police, assisted by the central forces, are unearthing weapons factories at different places in Darjeeling. Recently, it recovered arms and ammunition from the home and office of absconding Gorkha Janamukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung.

The raids conducted by the West Bengal police have led to arrests of a dozen of senior GJM leaders who are close to Gurung. The raids and arrests are forcing Gurung’s loyalists to switch to the faction of the GJM led by Binay Tamang. Tamanag is the temporary chief of the Gorkha Territorial Administration of which Gurung was the president.

Recently, posters warning of death threat to Tamang appeared on the walls of Darjeeling streets after which Bengal police swung into action and strengthened Tamang's security and other anti-Gurung leaders.

With the withdrawl of the security forces, it would be difficult for Bengal police to protect the pro-Trinamool Congress political leaders in the hills while conducting the raids. The move also saw the central BJP leaders asking Gurung to come out of hiding or surrender. Gurung is slapped with terror laws, including the UAPA and Arms Act.

“Yes, he should now face the law. If he is innocent, then he would definitely get reprieve from the court. Otherwise, his party would be non-existing in a few days,” said a senior BJP leader in Bengal.

Virtually, Gurung has no other option apart from coming out of the forest guest house in Sikkim where he has been apparently living for the past five months. Sources have confirmed that he would come out by October 30, and would directly go to Delhi, where his supporters would prevent his arrest at the hands of the West Bengal police. At the same time, he would seek reprieve from the Supreme Court.

Only then can he come to Darjeeling to begin his party work. Otherwise, if he does not get any reprieve from the apex court, Gurung would have same fate as GNLF leader Late Subhas Ghising.





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