Ajoy Edwards offer to pursue Madan Tamang murder case

On Tuesday, Edwards reached Clubside to offer prayers and floral tribute to Tamang's statue that has been erected on the 14th death anniversary of the AIGL leader. 

EOI, DARJEELING, MAY 21, 2024 :  Hamro Party president, Ajoy Edwards has offered to pursue the murder case of All India Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang. The case is presently pending in the court. Tamang was murdered in broad daylight on May 21, 2010, near the Club Stand in the upperpart of Darjeeling town when he was preparing the stage for an AIGL public rally. 

On Tuesday, Edwards reached Clubside to offer prayers and floral tribute to Tamang's statue that has been erected on the 14th death anniversary of the AIGL leader. 

"We will take up the Madan Tamang murder case in the High Court and Supreme Court if the family of the slain leader grants us permission. Our legal team will pursue the case. We will create public pressure to ensure that the family gets justice," he said.

The HP leader said it was a dark day for the hills and the Gorkha community, the day Madan Tamang was murdered.

The perpetrators of heinous crime should be punished, he said. "The law of the land must prevail. What message is the government giving to the common people if a leader like Madan Tamang can be murdered in broad daylight and justice denied even after14 years," Edwards asked.

Edwards said Tamang was a courageous leader and had raised his voice for the people of the hills against atrocities and suppression. "He (Tamang)was the ray of hope for the community during the dark days that had engulfed the hills. He was not afraid and raised his voice when no one could openly speak their mind," he said.

Bharati Tamang, the slain AIGL leader's widow, said she had hope that truth would prevail ultimately. "It’s been 14 years yet we have not got justice. We don't know whose conspiracy it is. But I have not lost my hope and faith in God. I am sure, however late, truth and justice will prevail," she said. 

After Tamang was murdered, the party was run by Bharati for some years. In the year 2022 she dissolved the party and tendered her resignation. 

The AIGL is presently being run by Pratap Khati, the second in command, from Kalimpong district. 

A case is pending in the High Court. In the past, around 28 people had been arrested with another 22or so senior leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha party including Bimal Gurung named in a supplementary chargesheet of the CBI, accusing them of their involvement in the murder. Most of them are out on bail. 

Members of the organization People’s Forum were seen paying homage to Tamang at Clubside today.