Darjeeling social activist Sudhan Gurung has appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for justice, warning that if justice is not served in the case of the attack against him, he will go on an indefinite hunger strike at Nabanna.
In his first video message after being discharged from Darjeeling District Hospital, Sudhan issued this warning. He also called upon Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, MLAs Neeraj Zimba, BP Bajgain, Rudan Sada Lepcha, and the district magistrate to break their silence and speak out publicly on the issue.
Sudhan said, “The reign of terror must end in the hills of Darjeeling. It’s now time for the common people to come forward and speak up fearlessly.” He alleged that there was a conspiracy to kill him on May 8.
According to him, he has been raising his voice against illegal teacher appointments in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area since 2019, which he believes made him the target of the recent attack.
Sudhan alleged that Vivek Gurung and Ajit Rai, who have been arrested in connection with the attack, are not directly involved in the teacher recruitment scandal but were hired to assassinate him.
The Darjeeling police have already arrested Vivek Gurung and Ajit Rai, residents of Singtam Tea Estate, and they are currently in police custody.
Sudhan urged the police administration to conduct a strict and impartial investigation into the incident and to arrest the masterminds behind the attack promptly and punish them accordingly. He said this incident has exposed that those who raise their voice for social reform are also at risk.
He further mentioned that such an attack in a busy place like Darjeeling town is shocking and raises serious questions about law and order.
Sudhan also accused Amrit Yonjan, president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Democratic Youth Power, of inciting people against him during a public gathering at Motor Stand on September 3, 2023. He claimed that he has included Amrit Yonjan’s name in the FIR he filed and warned that no one should attempt to protect the accused when the charge sheet is filed.
“I must get justice, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should also pay serious attention to the incident against me,” Sudhan stated. “If justice is served, no youth in the hills of Darjeeling will have to face such attacks in the future.”
Upon being discharged from the hospital, Sudhan encountered Vivek and Ajit, who were brought to the hospital for medical check-ups. On seeing them, Sudhan became furious and challenged them to attack him from the front instead of from behind.
He concluded by saying, “This attack was an attempt to suppress my voice, but I will not let my voice be silenced under any circumstances. If justice is denied, I will go on an indefinite hunger strike at Nabanna. The MP, MLAs, and the district magistrate of Darjeeling must also now speak up openly for the people.”