Thousands of people in Darjeeling on Monday poured onto the streets braving rain to join the silent funeral procession of slain All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president Madan Tamang, sending out a clear signal of rejection to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.
The procession was taken out from Rhododendron-del, the residence of Tamang, at around 10 am.
The body was first taken to the AIGL party office at Laden-la road in Darjeeling and then, proceeded via Manebhanjan to Tamang’s native village, Meghma, 30 km away from Darjeeling town, where the cremation would take place.
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People from all walks of life, including teachers and school students, joined leaders and workers of the Democratic Front, the anti-GJM eight party combine which includes CPRM, AIGL, Congress and BJP, to pay their last respect to the leader, who has been called as “the first martyr for democracy in Darjeeling hills.”
The silence was punctuated by slogans against Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung and General Secretary Roshan Giri.
Adequate police arrangement was made to help maintain peace and law and order.
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Inspector General of Police (North Bengal), K.L. Tamta, who is now camping in Darjeeling, told PTI that the people had spontaneously kept their shops and business establishments closed for the third day today as a mark of grief for the departed leader.
The GJM had also called a four-hour bandh to pay respect to Tamang today.