CID writes to Sikkim cops for assistance over Gurung arrest

Kolkata: Bengal's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wrote to the Sikkim Police seeking assistance to arrest Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung.

Sources said the CID sent a letter addressed to the Superintendent of Police (South) of the Sikkim Police. It is learnt that the copy of the arrest warrant that was issued by the CID against Gurung and seven others was also sent along with the letter.

Besides Gurung, arrest warrant was also issued against GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, GJM Yuva Morcha president Prakash Gurung, Amrit Yonzon, Ashok Chhetri, D K Pradhan, Tilak Roka and Asha Gurung, the GJM Mahila Morcha chief and wife of Bimal Gurung.

The CID officers had conducted a raid in a hideout in Sikkim a few days ago where Gurung was scheduled to hold a secret meeting. Some of his associates were arrested but Gurung had managed to flee.

It is learnt that the CID has received recent intelligence input confirming Gurung's presence in Sikkim itself. The CID officers want to get hold of him before he manages to escape to any neighbouring country. The CID has also issued a lookout notice against Gurung and two other GJM leaders so that they cannot manage to escape to other countries and he is apprehended if he attempts to flee through any airport.

Based on the input, the CID wrote to Sikkim Police seeking its help to get hold of Gurung.

There had been reports that the GJM chief was absconding for the past few weeks and he has taken shelter in a hideout in Sikkim to avoid getting arrested. He has been booked for his alleged involvement in activities that affected the peace in the Hills under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A special team of the CID will be conducting further raids to arrest Gurung and support of the Sikkim Police will be required for the same. The CID is now waiting for the reply of the Sikkim Police.

The Sikkim Police had lodged a complaint against a team of West Bengal police in connection with the killing of a GJM supporter during a raid.

On Thursday, Sikkim Police had issued a statement saying that the reports of the "presence of some prominent leaders of Darjeeling in Sikkim and are being guarded by the Sikkim Police" is malicious without any basis.