One GJM activist killed, nine arrested from Sikkim

Darjeeling Sep 1 (IANS) A Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) activist was allegedly killed in police firing while at least nine party leaders were arrested by the police during a raid in south Sikkim s Namchi on Friday where the hill party held its central committee meeting during the day.

"A boy has been shot dead in Namchi by the police today " GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told IANS.

Police said nine GJM leaders were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) West Bengal from the all-party meeting venue in Sikkim s Namchi area around 45 km from here.

"Nine GJM leaders have been arrested by a team of West Bengal CID officials " Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi told IANS.

However Chaturvedi refuted the report of a person s death in police firing. "We have received no such information yet."

During the meeting the core committee expelled Binay Tamang from the party a day after he announced the withdrawal of the bandh in northern West Bengal.

GJM chief Bimal Gurung s supporters who are against the suspension of the ongoing shutdown stepped up rallies and picketing stalling flow of life in the region.

--IANS
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