Bharati fast on as bail hearing is delayed - Doctor checks on abgl chief on hunger strike

ABGL chief Bharati Tamang, with her eyes covered, lies at the protest site in Darjeeling's Chowrasta on Monday. Near her head is the photograph of her husband Madan Tamang, who was murdered by alleged Morcha activists in May 2010.Picture by Suman Tamang

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, June 15: The indefinite fast by ABGL president Bharati Tamang to demand the arrest of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders in connection with her husband's assassination entered its second day today.

There was a hint from the Democratic Front camp since early this morning that there would be a re-look at the decision to go on the hunger strike depending on the outcome of a hearing in Calcutta High Court where Bimal Gurung and other Morcha leaders and activists had filed petitions seeking anticipatory bail.

However, the high court didn't take up the anticipatory bail applications today and the matter is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow.

Bharati, 69, had started the indefinite hunger strike at Chowrasta here yesterday. The CBI had named Gurung and 22 others from the Morcha in a chargesheet filed in a court in Calcutta on May 29. Madan Tamang was hacked to death in Darjeeling on May 21, 2010.

The front, which comprises ABGL, CPRM, GNLF and Sikkim-Darjeeling Ekikaran Manch, has been demanding that the CBI immediately arrest the Morcha leaders since there is no stay on the execution of arrest warrants issued by the court against the 23 accused. Sources in the Morcha said the bail petitions were listed in court 26 of Justice Ashim Kumar Roy and Justice Malay Marut Banerjee for hearing today.

While the case of Bimal Gurung versus CBI was listed as case number 15, the bail petitions of Asha Gurung and others, Binay Tamang and others and Roshan Giri versus CBI were listed as case numbers 16, 17 and 18, respectively.

"Our anticipatory bail applications did not come up for hearing today. It is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow," said a Morcha leader.

Following the developments in Calcutta today, Bharati Tamang decided to continue with the indefinite hunger strike.

"We have decided to continue with the indefinite hunger strike. Let us see what happens tomorrow. We will review the emerging situation," said Govind Chhetri, the spokesman for the CPRM, late in the evening.

Front leaders are closely monitoring developments in Calcutta. They are of the opinion that they will not have to continue with the indefinite strike if the court doesn't grant anticipatory bail to the accused. However, if bail is granted, the front leaders are expected to review the situation and act accordingly.

Lobsang Bhutia, a doctor from the Darjeeling district hospital, checked Bharati's health condition today.

"She is a hypertension patient and she has also stopped taking medicines. That is why her pressure is fluctuating. It is on the higher side. I also asked if she had any specific complaint and so far, she does not."

Around 30 supporters were beside Bharati at the venue of the hunger strike today as a handful of security persons watched the situation.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to reach Darjeeling on June 17.

"She will be holding an administrative meeting with district officials at the Darjeeling Tourist Lodge at 4pm on June 17. We haven't received any specific schedule about her June 18 stay. She will, however, be leaving Darjeeling only on June 19," said an administrative source.