SI Killed in Police-GJM Clash, 9 AK 47 Rifles Recovered

One person has been arrested but his identity is yet to be disclosed.

Image used for representation purpose.

(Photo: PTI)

"Last night (Thursday), we received specific inputs that Gurung was camping on the river bed below Lepcha Bustee along with boys of GJM's militant wing Gorkhaland Personnel, and that there were lot of arms and ammunition there," said Darjeeling's Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi.

The police also recovered nine AK 47 rifles, a Berretta pistol, a point 22 bore rifle, a musket, a radio manpack, over 1,800 rounds of ammunition, 20 gelatine sticks, more than 1,000 detonators, camping materials, a sophisticated binocular and batteries.

"When they were fleeing, they saw us and fired. We returned the fire," he said.

Chaturvedi said from the blood trail found at the spot, it seemed some of the GJM men also sustained injuries.

Directly implicating Gurung for the death of the cop, Sharma said: "It all happened under Bimal Gurung's leadership" but also conceded that the heavy and sudden firepower caused casualties among the police contingent.

The clashes went on for hours. Sharma said, during the clashes, Gurung and his close associates fled to the neighbouring state of Sikkim.

One person has been arrested, said Chaturvedi, but refused to give out his identity.

He has disclosed certain things. The camp was continuing for a couple of months, and Gurung himself used to stay there. We have also got some identity documents.

The Superintendent of Police

Accusing Gurung of having links with Maoists and northeast insurgent groups, Sharma said the beleaguered GJM leader wanted to disturb the peace process.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet passed a proposal to give jobs to the widow and father of the slain policeman, who was only 27 and had married seven months back.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also released Rs 5 lakh from her relief fund for Malik's bereaved family.

The chief minister is scheduled to attend the 16 October meeting at the state secretariat Nabanna.

(Copy edited for length)

Also Read: Darjeeling Unrest: Mamata Orders High-Level Probe Into Violence

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