Dooars GJM threatens stir against Lama’s detention

Report by: 

PRADIP LAMA

KALCHINI

25 Aug 2013

Keeping with their move of arresting GJM leaders and activists, the police had arrested Dooars GJM central committee member Ashok Lama on the night of August 13 citing old cases.

Now, the Dooars unit of the party has threatened a stir in the plains if Lama is not released soon. The GJM leader has been granted bail in all cases except on the Sipchu incident, as the executive magistrate would be hearing the case. But although Lama is in Jalpaiguri jail since the past 12 days, there has been no hearing till date.

The delay has irked the Dooars GJM unit and made it suspicious. GJM leader Bishal Lama told this correspondent that “if the government sticks to its rough and tough stance and does not release our leaders, the ongoing movement in the Hills will spill over to the Dooars. If Lama is not released by Tuesday, we will begin a massive movement here too”.

He said arrests take place during an agitation, but undue detentions are not acceptable and GJM supporters will not remain mute spectators.

Further, GJM central committee member Rajesh Sharma said the party’s women’s wing will submit deputations to various departments and hold rallies and demonstrations.

While observers feel the government may not release the detainees for some time, the GJM believes Lama will be out soon since all those implicated in the Sipchu incident have been granted bail. Moreover, the leaders noted Lama was in Kalchini on the day of the Sipchu incident, and as proof, there is a case registered against him in the Kalchini police station on that day.