West Bengal Hills shutdown still on, massive manhunt for Bimal Gurung

Darjeeling (West Bengal): The situation in Darjeeling remained tense as the indefinite shutdown in the Hills entered its 81st day on Sunday. Meanwhile, another IED blast took place in Darjeeling early on Sunday. This time also the IED blast was carried out at a police outpost in Chhoy Mile area in Rangli Rangliot. Although no one was injured in the explosion, the impact of the blast created deep craters inside the out-post.

A massive search operation launched by the West Bengal police for the absconding Gorkha Janmukti chief Bimal Gurung continued even on Sunday. Since Friday, the police were combing Darjeeling Hills and its adjoining areas for Mr Gurung, against whom a lookout notice had been issued for his alleged involvement in various cases, including a bomb blast in Kalimpong police station in which a civic volunteer was killed. There are also cases under the Unlawful 

Activities (Prevention) Act against him. Protests by pro-Gorkhaland supporters demanding continuation of the shutdown and a separate state of Gorkhaland were organised in various parts of the hills. Rallies were taken out in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik, Sonada and Kalimpong.

Picketing by GJM supporters has been strengthened in several parts of the hills and posters and leaflets were distributed in support of the shutdown. Barring medicine shops and hospitals, all the shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed. The shutdown in the hills is on after Mr Gurung revoked party convenor Binay Tamang’s decision of suspending it till September 12, when the next round of dialogue with the state government is scheduled.