News

Gurung’s wife avoids ‘new’ plate

www.telegraphindia.com

Siliguri/Jaigaon, Aug. 25: Bimal Gurung’s wife today travelled to the Dooars in a vehicle with “WB” number plate to set up the central committee office of an outfit affiliated to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

Asha Gurung’s car had the registration number “WB-77-7070” and she inaugurated the office of the Gorkha Janmukti Adivasi Morcha at Mahabaribusty near Chalsa, 60km from Siliguri

At a time when the Morcha has been clamouring that “GL” was mandatory for vehicles registered in Darjeeling, Asha Gurung’s arrival eased the tension prevalent in Malbazar, Oodlabari and Chalsa since morning. Police had been posted at regular intervals across NH31 to ward off trouble.

“The news of the inauguration and that Morcha leaders and supporters would come down from the hills in vehicles with ‘GL’ numbers had infuriated the local people,” said Prabhat Dey, who lives in Malbazar.

Deborshi Dutta, the subdivisional police officer of Malbazar, said his men were prepared, considering the tension that was palpable. “However, no vehicle with improper number plates arrived.”

The two-cottah land for the office had been donated by Raju Chhetri, a Morcha supporter. “He (Ghisingh) had cheated the people…and formed the council with only the three hill subdivisions. The Morcha will not settle for anything less than Gorkhaland including the Dooars as well as the Siliguri subdivision,” Asha Gurung said.

© 2008 The Gorkhaland Chronicle.