Gurung suspended, Tamang takes over

DARJEELING: A day before its crucial meeting with the Bengal government, the Binoy Tamang faction of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) suspended the party’s founder-president Bimal Gurung and his associates. They were removed from all posts as Tamang took over as the new chief.

Accused of creating terror, Gurung and his aides are suspected to be hiding in Sikkim.

The decision to dethrone the GJM founder was taken at a meeting of the party’s central committee chaired by Tamang, which was attended by only 37 of the committee’s 93 members.

Fugitive general secretary Roshan Giri was also stripped of his post as Tamang’s associate Anit Thapa took over. Both Tamang and Thapa enjoy the administration’s support. Giri issued a statement from his hideout in the evening, saying his suspension was illegal since Tamang himself was expelled by the central committee two months ago.

Gurung’s wife Asha was also removed from the post of president of GJM Nari (Women) Morcha.

“All of them have been suspended for six months. The decision was taken by the majority at the meeting. Vacant posts will be filled up shortly,” Tamang said.

Interestingly, Gurung had expelled Tamang, then assistant general secretary and convener, from GJM by calling an emergency meeting of the central committee on September 1.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday also restrained the West Bengal police from taking any “coercive action” against Gurung.