Speculations as GNLF leaders given 'police protection' Photos gave rise to questions as to why the state provided security to the GNLFleaders, who are in alliance with the BJP and GJMM

SNS, SILIGURI: Photos of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) president Mann Ghisingh, along with other party leaders, visiting villages under police protection have led to rumour mills churning in the Hills.

A section of the Hill people and observers were taken aback when they saw the GNLF leaders with uniformed men provided by the state government.

The photoshave given rise to questions as to why the state government provided security to the GNLF leaders, who are in alliance with the BJP and the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha's Bimal Gurung faction.

"Is there any plan of the state government to take Mann Ghisingh into confidence to run the (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) GTA-3?" an observer and a Morcha leader of the Gurung camp were quick to comment.

However, GNLF leaders claimed that the decision to take the personal security officer (PSO) with two armed personnel, was a result to the incident that took place in Kalimpong recently where a group of people attacked Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.

Brushing aside speculations, GNLF leader Ajoy Edwards said: "We took the decision to use personal security wards provided by the state government to avoid any untoward incident, taking cue from the incident that took place in Kalimpong where Darjeeling MP Raju Bista was attacked."

According to a Kalimpong based senior leader of the Morcha's Gurung faction, the state has prvided security for the GNLF but"not for Gurung's men."

"I cannot understand the reason behind it. Had the state provided security for us, the police would have not detained Mani Gurung, our party's central committee member, on 27 November, as he was organizing a party programme, which was scheduled to be held in Darjeeling on 28 November," the leader said.

"Is it part of preparations for a new team to run GTA-3 after the end of the tenure of Binoy Tamang and Anit Thapa, following a rift between the two?" the Morcha leader said.

A corporate official and a resident of Darjeeling Hills also said: "Is it a new strategy of the state government?

'The state government had provided security to Mann Ghisingh after his father, Subash Ghisingh, died.But Mann did not use uniformed security personnel. He used plainclothes security personnel.

But we have decided to take uniformed armed police so that opponents cannot attack us," Edwards said, adding, "Secondly, we took the decision to use security so that the state police can witness if any untoward incident happens suddenly"

The GNLF leadership has on 20 November launched an outreach drive, where leaders are visiting various places in the Hills and interacting with people.

"We know people have started discussing about GTA3 and are suspecting us. But we don't have connection with the GTA. We are listening to the people and their views on permanent political solution. We also listen to people who have good memories with Subash Ghisingh and his work since 18867 Edwards said.