GJM front rung leader arrested over June 8 unrest

Narbu G Lama, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader and former GTA Sabhasad of Teesta Valley was arrested from Siliguri on Friday by the CID in connection with the incidents of unrest in Darjeeling town on June 8. He has been remanded to seven days of police custody.

Lama was produced at the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (ACJM), Siliguri, on Saturday. The CID had prayed for seven days of remand. Gobind Chettri, the defence lawyer had moved a bail prayer arguing that Lama's name does not feature in the FIR in connection with the June 8 incident. "Lama is a cardiac patient having undergone Bypass surgery," stated Chettri. Lama has been charged under different sections of the IPC relating to rioting, arson, criminal conspiracy read with sections of the Arms Act and Explosives Act in connection with the June 8 incident.

Sujit Kumar Bandopadhyaya, ACJM, Siliguri rejected the bail prayer and remanded Lama to seven days of police custody. The judge while remanding Lama to police custody instructed that Lama be given special medical attention. According to the CID, Lama had been arrested from Salugarah at around 8.30 pm on Friday. The GJM has vehemently condemned the arrest. "His arrest is politically motivated and was done to suppress the democratic agitation for Gorkhaland. The arrest of only GJM leaders show that how the government is targeting GJM leaders as they know GJM is the only party sincere towards Gorkhaland," stated Jyoti Rai, GJM Central Committee leader.

On June 8, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters had clashed with the security forces in Darjeeling town. Police reports claim that more than 45 security force personnel were injured in the clash. A police booth was set on fire. 15 police vehicles were torched along with a state government bus. Army was deployed in Darjeeling, Ghoom and Kurseong to control the situation. Five GJM supporters were also injured. On that day, GJM had taken out rallies and staged a sit in demonstration a short distance away from the Raj Bhawan where the state Cabinet meeting was taking place. At around 3 pm, the GJM supporters torched an effigy of the CM. Suddenly, there were stones being pelted and amidst shouts, a stampede ensued. Some people even tried to bring down the police barricade. Police resorted to baton charge and burst tear gas shells.