Search on for Gurung in forests near Darjeeling

EOI, Kolkata/Darjeeling, 14 Oct 2017: A man was arrested in Darjeeling today for his suspected links to Friday's gun battle, in which  SI Amitava Malik was killed, even as the men in uniform intensified the efforts to nab Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung.

"We have arrested a man in connection with yesterday's incident. He is being interrogated," a senior police official said.

According to police sources, the person arrested had links with the Gorkhaland Personal force (GLP), a GJM wing. Four policemen were also injured in Friday's incident, which occurred in the forest area near Darjeeling. The GJM had claimed that three of its supporters were killed in police firing. The police, however, did not comment on it.

A senior police official today said the situation in the hills was largely normal and traffic movement was also smooth. Gurung is on the run since August after the West Bengal government lodged cases against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in several bomb blasts in Darjeeling and adjoining areas. However, the combing operation by police to nab GJM chief Bimal Gurung continued for the second consecutive day today in the forest areas near Darjeeling.

A senior police official today said the situation in the hills was largely normal and the traffic movement smooth.  

Gurung has been missing since August after the West Bengal government lodged cases against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in several bomb blasts in Darjeeling and adjoining areas. The exchange of fire on Friday was the first incident of violence after the 104-day-indefinite shutdown in the hills was called off on September 26 by Gurung following an appeal by Union home minister Rajnath Singh. The GJM is an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).