The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) on Monday lodged a formal complaint regarding alleged intimidation by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).
In the complaint the GNLF have stated that in a GJM election campaign in Mirik on April 10, the GJM president Bimal Gurung in his speech had threatened to break the legs of GNLF party supporters and actively encouraged his party supporters to do the same stating that the model code of conduct is only for candidates and not for him (Gurung) or party supporters.
The GNLF also complained about the Gurung’s threat to throw out GNLF from the Hills using lakhs of people. This is being to create a fear psychosis to prevent the public from voting for the GNLF, read the complaint Ghisingh’s outfit.
“Our party has viewed these threats seriously and we would protect our party president and the party with our lives, come what may. We would sincerely like the esteemed institution to intervene so that blood will not be spilled pre-and post-election,” said the complaint.
“We want the Election Commission to initiate necessary action. They have assured free and fair elections and intimidation of voters is a major offence. It is time the Election Commission lives up to its assurances,” said Palden Dorji, GNLF leader from Kurseong.
Mohan Gandhi, district magistrate, Darjeeling, who is also the district election officer, said, “We have received a complaint and are probing the matter.” The model code of conduct is in place till the announcement of poll results. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had demanded the immediate arrest of Bimal Gurung. “The GJM propped by the Congress-Trinamool is issuing direct threats to other political parties in the Hills. Bimal Gurung is out on bail in a cognizance offence. How can he issue such intimidating threats? We demand that the EC do its duty and immediately arrest Gurung,” said Jibesh Sarkar, CPI(M) leader of North Bengal.
{{/usCountry}}Mohan Gandhi, district magistrate, Darjeeling, who is also the district election officer, said, “We have received a complaint and are probing the matter.” The model code of conduct is in place till the announcement of poll results. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had demanded the immediate arrest of Bimal Gurung. “The GJM propped by the Congress-Trinamool is issuing direct threats to other political parties in the Hills. Bimal Gurung is out on bail in a cognizance offence. How can he issue such intimidating threats? We demand that the EC do its duty and immediately arrest Gurung,” said Jibesh Sarkar, CPI(M) leader of North Bengal.
{{/usCountry}}“We are investigating the matter. It is a cognizable offence under Section 171C of the IPC,” said DP Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP), Darjeeling.
“We would be getting 72 companies of central paramilitary forces to beef up security during elections. They will be arriving on April 14,” said the Darjeeling SP.