Darjeeling, May 14:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Darjeeling district president Kalyan Dewan has called for the arrest of those who publicly threatened Sudhan Gurung from open platforms. Speaking to reporters at Darjeeling District Hospital after meeting Gurung, Dewan stressed that the recent attack on Gurung was not only unfortunate but also a serious blow to Darjeeling’s reputation as a peaceful tourist destination.
Dewan alleged that leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), including Keshavraj Pokhrel, Alok Kantamani Thulung, and Amrit Yonjan, had delivered inflammatory speeches against Gurung from public stages. He asserted that the incident should be thoroughly investigated and that those issuing threats must also be held accountable.
“This is not just an attack on Sudhan Gurung, it is an attack on the entire Darjeeling community. We must ensure that such criminal elements and those attempting to tarnish Darjeeling’s image are opposed by everyone,” Dewan stated.
He warned that incidents of violence, such as daylight attacks and assaults with sharp weapons, could severely damage Darjeeling’s tourism industry. Dewan appealed for serious attention from all sections of society to prevent such acts from recurring.
Expressing suspicion over political motivations behind the attack, Dewan claimed that Sudhan Gurung had previously lodged multiple complaints with the police regarding threats to his life, but no preventive measures were taken. Despite prior warnings to the administration, Gurung was attacked just 100 meters from the police station and the Superintendent of Police’s office, yet there was no CCTV footage of the incident, Dewan pointed out.
He emphasized the need for the police to investigate the matter transparently and bring forth those who had threatened Gurung earlier as well as the masterminds behind the attack. Dewan also questioned the silence of certain political leaders who claim to have restored peace in the hills while their party workers issue open threats from stages.
“The circumstances suggest that the attack may have been orchestrated under political instructions,” Dewan remarked, urging the administration to act decisively and uphold justice.