Two Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders held at Bagdogra ahead of Bimal Gurung’s “return” to Darjeeling from hiding; released later

With an interim four-day relief from the Supreme Court, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung was all set to “return” to Darjeeling on Thursday from his hiding, along with another top leader Roshan Giri.

The fact that Gurung would be back in the hills ahead of the Lok Sabha polls was announced through a video message on Wednesday. GJM spokesperson BP Bajgain said that Gurung and some other leaders would arrive at the Bagdogra airport and their supporters would be present to welcome him. “The Supreme Court has given us four days to appeal before the high court,” he said.

It was expected that Gurung would reach Bagdogra airport from New Delhi and then file for anticipatory bail at the Jalpaiguri bench of the Calcutta High Court.

However, neither Gurung nor Giri eventually boarded the Delhi-Bagdogra flight. Tickets had been booked in the names of nine persons – Anmol Thapa, Bimal Gurung, Roshan Giri, Neema Tamang, Phup Namgyal Bhutia, Bidraman Golley, Sanjeev Sudedi, Yogendra Pradhan and Balkrishna Thapa. However, only one of the nine – Yogendra Pradhan boarded the flight from Delhi at 12.25 pm and reached Bagdogra at 2.10 pm. Another GJM man, Rohan Rai, whose name was not in the ticket among the nine, but who was accompanying Pradhan reached Bagdogra. Police, waiting at Bagdogra airport, “held” both. They were released later.

There are talks now that Gurung may be travelling by road to reach Darjeeling.

As per the Supreme Court order, Bimal Gurung cannot be arrested under 14 cases.

In a written statement, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri had said yesterday, “As we all return home today, I take this moment to thank all the media personnel who have covered injustices meted out against the Gorkha community, and our trials and tribulations. We thank the people of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars for their unflinching support and love.”

The Supreme Court on Wednesday had directed Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri to approach the Calcutta High Court within four days to seek anticipatory bail from different cases registered against them by the West Bengal government.

They and some other GJM leaders have been “in hiding” from the time the Bengal government had slapped charges against them under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act relating to the violent agitation in Darjeeling in 2017. The ruling Trinamool Congress had forged an alliance with a breakaway faction of the GJM led by Binay Tamang. He was later made chairman of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

With elections on the anvil, GJM’s Amar Rai was announced as the Trinamool Congress candidate. The BJP on the other hand has fielded Gurung-nominated candidate Raju Bista as candidate from Darjeeling, replacing the sitting MP, SS Ahluwalia. Darjeeling has been a GJM-backed BJP seat for the past two Lok Sabha terms – SS Ahluwalia in 2014 and Jaswant Singh in 2009.

With the assurance of BJP’s security, Gurung has been planning to return to Darjeeling to campaign for the BJP. Elections in Darjeeling will be held in the second phase – on April 18.

But whether Bimal Gurung will be able to do that at all will be evident over the next few days.