Morcha leader arrested

TT, Jalpaiguri, Sept. 1, 2014: A central committee member of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha was arrested in Jalpaiguri today for his alleged involvement in a murder and for organising movements for the party in 2009.

The arrest, which was made a day before the GTA representatives’ bipartite meeting with the state, has led to speculations in political circles.

Police in Jalpaiguri said Chhetri, a resident of Chamurchi under Banarhat police station, was arrested this morning.

“Sandip Chhetri was named as an accused in a case registered in 2009 when a person was murdered during the agitation of the Morcha. Recently, the court has issued an arrest warrant against him and so, he has been arrested,” said Kunal Agarwal, the superintendent of police of Jalpaiguri.

Morcha leaders in the Dooars, however, have alleged that the police had fired one blank round while arresting Chhetri today.

“Our leader has been arrested with vested political interests. While arresting him, police fired one round in blank. We apprehend that he will have to face mental and physical torture while being in police custody,” said Sushil Pradhan, the secretary of the Chamurchi committee of the Morcha. After his arrest, Morcha leaders also demonstrated in the locality.

Aniruddha Thakur, the deputy superintendent of police (crime) of Jalpaiguri, however, has denied the allegation. “The allegations of firing a blank round are baseless. We have not even used force during the arrest.”