With anti-Gorkha Janamukti Morcha feelings stirring the Darjeeling hills following the killing of All India Gorkha League president Madan Tamang, GJM chief Bimal Gurung on Wednesday threatened to go on fast if a CBI probe was not ordered into the assassination.
Alleging that the West Bengal government has conspired against the GJM to break up its movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland, he told a party rally in Darjeeling that “If a CBI investigation is not ordered into Tamang’s killing, I will go on fast.”
Mr. Gurung had on Tuesday threatened to retaliate if his party workers were attacked in the wake of anti-GJM sentiments triggered by the killing of the Gorkha leader.
Stating that his party condemns Tamang’s killing, he rubbished that the GJM had lost the people’s support in Darjeeling and said he would prove that he still enjoys mass support at a public rally at Mal in Darjeeling on Sunday.
GJM activists braved rains to attend the rally, which was attended by party publicity wing chief Harkabahadur Chhetri, who quietly returned to the party a day after announcing that he was quitting in protest against Tamang’s murder as the needle of suspicion pointed towards the GJM.
Meanwhile, prohibitory orders clamped yesterday were withdrawn and shops and markets reopened, though tension continued to prevail in Darjeeling.
