Ghisingh dead conquers Darjeeling

EOI, DARJEELING/BAGDOGRA, 30 Jan 2015: From the epithet “Appa” (father) when he was alive, Subash Ghisingh now is being hailed as “Gandhi of Darjeeling Hills” by supporters, ironically abou someone who had led a violent and bloody movement in the 1980s, to achieve a separate state.

As the grand old man of Darjeeling’s body stopped at the railway station Kurseong on Friday, thousands of supporters scrambled and rushed to touch the hearse with tears in eyes. “Darjeeling pahar ko Gandhi amar rahos (long live the Gandhi of Darjeeling Hills),” the supporters shouted replacing their earlier slogan of “long live Appa, long live Subash Ghisingh”.

The railway station was jam packed with party supporters lined up on both sides of the road to catch a last glimpse of their revered leader. More than 100 vehicles followed Ghisingh’s hearse from Bagdorga airport to Darjeeling.

Kurseong town was closed from 2 pm and all traffic was diverted to facilitate the hearse movement. A huge contingent of police force was deployed to control the swelled crowd. Supporters walked with the hearse till the Tourist Lodge some half a km away and then dispersed after twenty minutes of stoppage.

Ghisingh’s body was brought to his Darjeeling residence at 7.20 pm. Supporters laid khada and wreath on his body which was kept outside the house for a few minutes before it was taken inside. Six Lamas (priests) conducted rituals since morning.

Earlier, Ghisingh’s body arrived at Bagdogra airport at 1.45 p.m. in a Jet Airways flight from Delhi. Thousands of his supporters, party workers, opposition leaders and state government representatives were present at Bagdogra airport to pay shomage.

“It is a great loss for everyone,” North Bengal Development minister Gautam Deb said. A sobbing Uma Tamang, Ghishing’s daughter, said, (crying) “I am speechless, whatever my father has done for the people and society till now is witnessed by the everyone and now it all depend on the people to support Mohan and his movement. I thank all my father’s supporter’s who came here today.”

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive Bimal Gurung announced that “as a mark of respect for the late Gorkha leader, Subash Ghisingh, all offices under the GTA will remain closed tomorrow” and also extended his condolence to the family. Ghisingh will be cremated at Manju tea estate in Mirik in the foothills on Sunday as per his wish said a senior party leader.