Protest over custody death of councillor

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, Jan 13, 2018, Kalimpong: The family members of Barun Bhujel, a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha councillor of the Kalimpong municipality who passed away last October, on Saturday held a silent protest at Damber Chowk here demanding an independent inquiry into his death while being held in judicial custody.

The extended Bhujel family numbering about 15, including the ex-councillor's wife Sabita and his mother, stood for about an hour at the town's main roundabout from 10am, holding placards demanding justice. "We had sought a permission from the district magistrate and the inspector in-charge of the Kalimpong police station to stage our protest, but were denied the same. Which is why we decided to hold this short and silent protest instead. We will organise bigger protests in the future if justice continues to elude us," said Sabita.

Bhujel, the councillor of ward 16 and a staunch supporter of Morcha president Bimal Gurung, was arrested on June 15 at the start of the last year's unrest in the hills for his alleged involvement in the incidents of arson and violence. He had died in a Calcutta hospital on October 25 while continuing to remain in judicial custody.

"He was a very healthy man at the time of his arrest. How could such a person die in the short time he was in judicial custody? We demand a through inquiry into his death," Sabita said.