GJM leader Thapa sent to judicial custody

EOI, Kurseong, 6 August 2013: One of the founding GJM members in Kurseong and GTA Sabha Executive member, Anit Thapa, was today sent to judicial custody amid huge protests from party cadres. 

Perceived as a close aide to GJM chief Bimal Gurung, Thapa is considered a party strongman in Kurseong. He was arrested by the Kurseong police last night around 7pm from the Motor Stand area following which a large number of GJM supporters staged demonstrations and dharnas in front of the police station throughout the night. 

The supporters vacated the police station premises only around 9:30am today when Thapa was produced at the Kurseong Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. 

As GJM supporters had started gathering in huge numbers last night, chances of a clash erupting between them and the police looked quite possible. But the police administration deployed CRPF personnel and barricaded the police station and as it was already late in the evening, no untoward incident occurred. 

Area GJM leader Kamal Thapa said, “We have put up bulbs to brighten up the area as miscreants can throw stones or cause nuisance to the police personnel on duty causing things to the spiral out of control. 

While senior police officials declined to comment on the reason for Thapa’s arrest, sources revealed he was picked up for cases pertaining to the pre-GTA period during the GJM’s statehood agitation. 

GJM legal cell member advocate Ashok Sharma said Thapa has been arrested on six counts out of which he has received bail on five, while one has been rejected. “As the rejected one is a session tribal case, we are putting it up at the high court for bail. Till then, Mr. Anit Thapa will be in judicial custody; the date for hearing is on August 19,” informed Sharma. 

He added the rejected case pertains to an incident of arson and vandalism in Chimney village in 2011. Cases against 25 persons had been filed then, but only two were arrested and Anit Thapa’s arrest takes the total to three, while the 22 remaining are still at large. 

Sharma also claimed Thapa’s arrest is a violation of the GTA Act as it clearly mentions all cases pending against GJM activists and leaders during the Gorkhaland movement would be withdrawn except those who have been charged with murder. 

Meanwhile, thousands of GJM supporters from different places of the Darjeeling Hills converged at Kurseong today amid heavy rainfall to participate in rallies protesting Thapa’s arrest.