A police officer was killed and several others injured as violence broke out in Darjeeling on Friday, after a prolonged period of lull in the trouble-torn region of West Bengal

Clashes broke between police and supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha inside a forest at the Lapchey Bustee, about 20 km from Darjeeling town, Anuj Sharma, ADG (Law and Order). Police had raided the area to arrest absconding GJM supremo Bimal Gurung. The GJM has been at the forefront of the Gorkhaland movement, demanding that a separate State be carved out from the Darjeeling hills.

Gurung, charged under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is wanted by the Bengal government for multiple clashes, subsequent deaths, and a 104-day shut down that has crippled the Darjeeling region since June this year.

“One sub-inspector, Amitabha Mullick, has been shot dead; and at least three others have been injured. A police vehicle has been set on fire,” Sharma told reporters at the State Secretariat.

Insurgent groups at work According to him, intelligence reports suggest that Gurung has been in touch with Maoists and other North East-based insurgent groups. Weapons used to attack the police were procured from them.

Six assault rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, pistol, gelatine sticks were recovered. “The morning ambush occurred when police, after having specific information, raided the area to arrest Gurung,” he said.

Gurung has often been addressing media from secret hideouts. The police believe that he is hiding either in Sikkim, or in bordering areas along Bengal and Sikkim ever since arrest warrants were issued.

Incidentally, Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee has already appointed expelled GJM leaders Binoy Tamang and Anit Thapa as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of board of administrators in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the semi-autonomous body to run the affairs in the hills.

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