Cop killed, several injured in a clash with GJM in Darjeeling
According to sources, acting on a tip off that Bimal Gurung had returned to Darjeeling from neighbouring state Sikkim and taken shelter in an illegal arms factory-cum-warehouse at Takvar area near Gurung's political-base Patlebas, a heavy police force cordoned off the area and had began search operation.
When police were searching houses at Limbu Basti, the GJM activists had reportedly started firing aiming at the cops.
"To make a corridor that Bimal Gurung can escape safely, his followers fired several rounds of bullets aiming at police force," a local police official told IBNS.
"Police also restored to firing and the exchange of bullets between cops and Gurung supporters lasted few hours," the officer added.
An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) ranked officer, who has been identified as Amitabh Malik, was killed in the clash while at least four other policemen were injured and were rushed to local hospital.
Meanwhile, the GJM sources claimed that several of their supporters were hurt during the massive clash and one of them is in a very critical condition.
Following the incident, a very heavy police force along with Central paramilitary forces were deployed to the scene, a police official said.
"Raids are still underway at the area and we have recovered at least seven automatic (AK-47) rifles and several rounds of ammunition so far from the location," the police official told IBNS.
Earlier on Thursday, Bimal Gurung sent a voice message confirming that he will appear before public on Oct 30.
After an appeal of Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), finally called off an indefinite strike in Darjeeling after 104 days on September 27.
The indefinite strike was called with the demand of a separate Gorkhaland.
The protest by the GJM had started after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee held an administrative meeting in Darjeeling months ago.
Banerjee's meeting was followed by a protest by the GJM supporters who had ransacked several government properties, leading to a complete shutdown in the hills.
(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
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