GNLF leader falls ill in court

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 26 Mar 2019, Darjeeling: Jeet Bahadur Tamang, the working president of the GNLF's trade union for tea plantation workers, had to be rushed to a hospital after he took ill while hearing of his bail petition was on in the additional chief judicial magistrate court in Kurseong on Monday.

Tamang was admitted to the Kurseong subdivisional hospital around 3pm. He was later referred to Darjeeling district hospital where he is admitted to the intensive care unit.

A government lawyer who was present at the court said: "The hearing had just started when Jeet Bahadur Tamang complained of headache and uneasiness. The hearing was stopped and he was soon rushed to the hospital. The court has issued appropriate directions to the hospital superintendent, superintendent of correctional home and the police." The hearing will resume only after Tamang fully recovers. Tamang is the working president of the GNLF's Himalayan Plantation Workers Union (HPWU).

Tamang had been arrested on Sunday in connection with road blockades.

Amitava Banerjee | MP | Darjeeling: JB Tamang, President, Himalayan Plantation Workers' Union (HPWU- affiliated to the GNLF) fell ill while being produced at the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (ACJM,) Kurseong on Monday. He has been admitted in the ICU of the Darjeeling District Hospital.

Fifty-six year old Tamang had been implicated in a case under the Naxalbari Police Station and arrested in the wee hours on Sunday. He had been produced at the Siliguri ACJM court from where he was granted bail.

However, as soon as he stepped out he was re-arrested in connection with a case under the Mirik police station. Tamang was produced at the ACJM Court in Kurseong on Monday.

Tamang fell ill and even lost consciousness when was produced at the court. He was rushed to the Kurseong sub divisional Hospital. From there he was referred to the Darjeeling district hospital.

Tamang was then brought to Darjeeling and admitted in the ICU. Later in the evening GNLF top brass including party President Mann Ghising paid him a visit. "His condition has improved stated" Dinesh Sampang, GNLF leader.