Gurung warns Tamang of 'befitting reply'

TT, Siliguri, Oct. 5: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung today warned of "a befitting reply" if legal action wasn't taken against Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa for allegedly orchestrating the attacks on BJP leaders in Darjeeling.

The Morcha chief also alleged that the attacks on state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and other party leaders had the backing of the Bengal government. Ghosh and some of his supporters had to beat a hasty retreat and take refuge at a police station after being chased by a group of youths.

"The state government orchestrated today's violence and attack with the help of Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa. Our party condemns it. Video footage shows that the attackers had come prepared. We want to make it clear that legal steps should be taken against all of them. Otherwise, there will be a befitting reply from our side," Gurung told journalists over the phone from an undisclosed location.

Tamang declined to comment on Gurung's remarks but condemned the attack on the BJP team. He, however, called it "an outpour of public resentment".

The statement by Gurung - who has been on the run because of multiple cases slapped against him by the administration - captured his resolve to take on Tamang at a time the government has projected him as the main political leader in the hills.

"Since yesterday, the BJP leaders have been rooting for Gurung in public. But the protests and attacks they faced indicate that Gurung's influence is on the wane. This is not only a blow to the BJP but also Gurung. Today's comments by the Morcha leader were just a reaction to the incidents," said an observer.

Tamang had on Monday asked the BJP leaders to spell out the party's stand on Gorkhaland or risk facing protests from the public during their visit to the hills.

The following day, Gurung had appealed to the people to welcome Ghosh and the other BJP leaders.

"First, the hill population did not pay any attention to Gurung's appeal that they should welcome the BJP delegation. Then, the attack happened," the observer said.

Political analysts pointed out that the Bengal BJP could be in a dilemma to spell out its stand on statehood - fearing a backlash in south if it supports Gorkhaland and protests in north if it doesn't.

The change in the balance of power between Gurung and Tamang also raises the spectre of fresh trouble in the hills, local residents said.

"What worries us now, particularly after what the Morcha president said today, is that fresh violence might erupt in the hills. We are apprehensive that there will be clashes between the two Morcha lobbies," said a teacher in Darjeeling.