Blast at Kalimpong police station; case filed against GJM leaders

Darjeeling: Police have started investigating the Kalimpong police station blast that left one civic police dead and a Home Guard grievously injured. Police have initiated a suo moto case invoking different Acts including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against GJM Chief Bimal Gurung and other front rung GJM leaders in this connection.

The blast had occurred at 10.20 pm on Saturday when a "grenade-like" explosive was hurled at the Kalimpong police station located in the heart of the town. Civic Police Rakesh Rawat (31), Home Guard Dhendup Bhutia (48) and SSB constable Manoj Dekka were at that time standing on the porch of the police station.

Rawat died in the police station and Bhutia was rushed to the Kalimpong Sadar Hospital from where he was referred to Siliguri. He is ailing at a private nursing home in Siliguri, while Dekka suffered minor injuries.

The explosion blew off a large chunk from the main pillar of the gate along with piercing a hole in an electric junction box made of metal. Window panes of a nearby building were also shattered.

"We have started a suo moto case against front rung GJM leaders. The blasts are aimed at creating terror among the masses and also demoralising the security forces. We have specific intelligence inputs that sections of the GJM leadership including youth leaders have been amassing explosive substances. A month ago, gelatin sticks were stolen. The GJM is taking their agitation towards violence. We are examining a CCTV footage of the incident," said Ajit Kumar Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong.

A CID team also visited the blast site on Sunday. "The CID will ascertain as to what type of explosives were used. However, it is clearly evident that the persons who carried out the blast were well trained," added the SP.

A case has been started against GJM leaders Bimal Gurung, Prakash Gurung, Praveen Subba, Former GTA member Dawa Lepcha and GJM youth President of Kalimpong — Barud Thapa.

They have been charged under various sections of different Acts including sections pertaining to murder, attempt to murder, waging war against the State read with different sections of the Explosive Substances Act; Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act ; West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order and Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act.

"We are also investigating the post arson blast at the Social Forestry guest house in Kalimpong that occurred an hour after the police station blast," added the SP. The guest house located at Warling-golai was torched on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, in Darjeeling, a scuffle broke out between security forces and GJM supporters at around 11.30 am at the Chowk Bazar. As many as 36 GJM supporters were rounded up but later released.

The Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee also had a meeting in Kalimpong on Sunday. Kalyan Dewan, Convenor stated: "We are willing to sit in talks with the state government provided there is an official invite. The state also has to create an environment conducive for talks."