Explosives, IED-making equipment seized in Darjeeling, one arrested

Darjeeling: An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) manufacturing unit was located by the police at Dabaipani, Lower Harsing below Lebong in Darjeeling. A woman was arrested in this connection while others managed to flee. A large police contingent conducted raids at Dabaipani in Lebong Valley, 18 km from Darjeeling.

"We have recovered gelatin sticks, metal splinters, shrapnel, large number of detonators and implements used for the manufacture of IEDs including pipes, cast iron. Along with this, bullet heads and 3.3 ammunition were also recovered from the two houses," stated Akhilesh Chaturvedi, Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling.

One Rajni Rai (28 years) was arrested in connection with this case. Her husband, Sekhar Rai, managed to flee along with others. The houses belonged to Sekhar Rai and Pradip Thapa.

A case has been initiated at Darjeeling Sadar Police Station against GJM president Bimal Gurung, Prakash Gurung, Puran Tamang, Pukar Subba, Bimala Tamang, Kiran, Pradip Thapa, Sekhar Rai, Prabhakar Rai, Dibakar Rai, Tashi Sherpa and others. They have been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

"Puran Tamang, president of the youth wing of the Lebong Valley, is in charge of this module. There are some GJM leaders trained by North-East Terrorist outfits. They could be helping these modules," claimed Chaturvedi.

The Hills have been witnessing IED blasts since August 19. There have been blasts in Darjeeling town, Kalimpong police station, Sukhiapokhari police station, Lhodama, Peshok bridge, 27th Mile on the NH10 and 6th Mile police outpost. In the Kalimpong police station blast, a civic volunteer was killed and a home guard personnel was grievously injured.

GJM president Bimal Gurung, Youth leader Prakash Gurung and Praveen Subba were charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong blasts. They have been named in the 6th Mile police outpost blast FIR also along with one Sameer Subba and charged under the UAPA.

The police have also launched a man hunt for Bimal Gurung, Prakash Gurung and Praveen Subba. A lookout notice has been issued in the name of Bimal Gurung, Prakash Gurung and GJM general secretary Roshan Giri.

Meanwhile, Panighatta located on the foothills in the Mirik Sub Division, opened up following a Trinamool Congress rally on Monday.

A peace rally was also taken out in Mirik. Shops and business establishments opened up with public transport including North Bengal State Transport Corporation buses and autos began to ply. People kept strict vigil.