Cops initiate suo moto case against GJM leaders, educational representatives

The Darjeeling Police have initiated a suo moto case against key Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders including  Bimal Gurung along with representatives of education institutions and organisations who were present in the May 30 meeting called by Gurung at the Gorkha Ranga Mancha in Darjeeling. It is from this meeting that the GJM's agitation programme including the closure of schools in protest against the alleged imposition of Bengali language had been announced.

The FIR named include GJM key leaders Bimal Gurung, Roshan Giri, Binoy Tamang, Ramesh Allay, Swaraj Thapa and P Arjun along with Prem Pradhan of Nepali Sahitya Sammelan; Jiwan Namdung, member, Nepali Sahitya Academy; Pemba Bomzan, President, GDNS; Rev Joy Haldar of St Paul's School; Father Peter Lingdam of St Robert's School; Pravat Mukhia of St Joseph's College; Derrick Pradhan of Vidya Vikash Academy and others.

They have been charged under Sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 153 A(b) (committing any act which is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, and which disturbs or is likely to disturb the public tranquility); 505 (statements conducting to public mischief ) of the IPC.

"We have initiated cases against these persons. The teachers were present in a political meeting on May 30. They were part of a political decision to shut down education institutions in the Hills; to organise black flag protest marches and also threaten indefinite bandhs thereby disturbing the peace and tranquility of the Hills despite there being no notification or circular regarding the implementation of the three language policy. There is a clear directive of the West Bengal Government vide a notification dated 30.11.2011 prohibiting the participation of teachers and students in any political activity or any political rally within or outside the school premises during school hours," stated Amit P Javalgi, Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling.

When contacted, Rev J Haldar of St Paul's stated "I am surprised." Meanwhile the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has threatened that it will not sit quiet while the stalwarts of the Nepali society including literary heads are arrested. "It was democratic protest. The Hills have to come forward and protest against the suppression policy of the state government. Even the intellectuals are not safe under the Bengal government," stated GJM leader Binay Tamang.

All education institutions in the Hills remained closed on Thursday, the first day of the two-day bandh call in institutes by the GJM.