Melli shootout: 7 arrested, absconding Kalimpong Councillor expelled from GJM

Darjeeling: 7 persons have been arrested in connection with the Melli shootout, while Kalimpong Municipal Councillor Kunal Pradhan is absconding. He was expelled from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Binay Tamang faction) on Wednesday.

Two persons had suffered bullet injuries on Tuesday at Melli, 20 km from Kalimpong, when a group of youths allegedly led by Pradhan opened fire.

"Based on a complaint lodged by Meena Chettri, we have started a case. 3 persons identified as Duk Tshering Bhutia, Abinay Rai and Raju Tamang have been arrested. We had set up checkpoints after the incident. 4 persons were arrested from a jeep along with sharp weapons after the incident. Kunal Pradhan, however, is absconding. We have launched a manhunt for him," stated SM Azim, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong.

Pradhan's vehicle has also been seized from the site of the incident. "Bow and Arrow, firearms and sharp weapons have been recovered from the vehicle. The 7 accused have been charged under different sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. They were produced at the Kalimpong Court on Wednesday," added the ASP.

The court has remanded Santosh Bhujel, Dilip Paswan, Santosh Rai and Sukman Rai to three days of police custody and the other three to judicial custody.

Puran Mangar (40) has received gunshot wounds on his stomach and Pemba Tamang (26) on his shin bone. Their condition is reported to be stable now.

Soon after the shootout, local residents had blocked National Highway 10. "Pradhan was in a meeting at Melli on Tuesday. Soon after the meeting, an altercation broke out between two groups," stated the ASP. "We have expelled Pradhan from the party," added Binay Tamang, president, GJM.