Binoy for probe in audio clip row

SNS, 11 March 2018, Darjeeling: Chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) board of administrators. Binoy Tamang, today assured high-level investigations in to an audio clip that is purportedly a telephonic conversation between a man from the Hills and Darjeeling Police Station Inspector-in-charge Soumyajit Roy.

In the clip, the voice being claimed as that of the police officer threatens the man at the other end of torching his house. The man (allegedly Mr Roy) also threatens to rape the sister and mother of the man at the other end.

As the audio clip went viral and drew widespread condemnation on social media, GTA chairman, Mr Tamang, said that a high-level inquiry would take place. Morcha leaders in Darjeeling also said that it was a conspiracy to thwart Darjeeling's two-day hill Business Summit that is beginning on Tuesday in Darjeeling, and which will be attended by several investors and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The leaders also called for patience until the probe was over.

"Preliminary inquiry suggests that the audio clip is fake. If there is an iota of truth in the (purported telephone call) recording, the person concerned can file a police complaint (against the police officer). The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha and its president Binoy Tamang will extend all support," Mr Tamang said in a Whatsapp statement he sent through his personal mobile number. "About a month back, when chief minister Mamata Banerjee was about to visit Darjeeling From February 6, a rumour was circulated on social media two days ahead that said a resident of Bijanbari had died at the Jalpaiguri correctional home.

Just two days before the Hill Business Summit, there is every possibility that attempts are being made to disrupt peace by the Bimal Gurung faction by circulating such an audio clip," Mr. Tamang said. "Therefore, until all the facts are investigated and truth is established, we request all to maintain patience," the statement added.

Alok Kanta Mani Thulung, the Darjeeling sub-division president of the Morcha, confirmed that Mr Tamang will be initiating a probe into the matter. ''These kinds of things happen whenever Darjeeling is about to witness something good. If the clip is found to be genuine, the government must act against the wrongdoer, and if found to be fake, action must also be taken against people who spread such things," Mr Thulung said, appealing to the people to remain calm and not run after such rumours until investigations are over. Central Committee member of the party Satish Pokhrel echoed Mr Thulung and said the police officer, if found guilty after the probe, should he given exemplary punishment as per the laws.

Meanwhile, absconding Morcha leader Bimal Gurung sent a press release and condemned the audio clip. "The audio recording provides a very small glimpse into how those loyal to Gorkhaland cause are being treated in West Bengal. In a state run by a woman chief minister, her police have the audacity and brazenness to threaten someone's mother and sister with rape, If you listen to the tape carefully, the IC has confessed "Bahut Ghar Jalaya" (have burnt many houses), this statement shows who has unleashed real terror in our Hills. I will be writing to the Home Minister and the Prime Minister asking for a Supreme Court- monitored NIA and CBI inquiry." he said.