Both Gurung and Giri have been absconding following the 104-day bandh at the hills which began in June 2017.
Ahead of the elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the semi-autonomous body at the hills of West Bengal, names of some Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders, including its former chief Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri, have been struck off the voters’ list.
Administrative sources said that their names along with many of their family members’ have been removed from the list following their abnormal absence from Darjeeling.
Darjeeling Electoral Office sources said that notices had been sent to over 100 residents of Darjeeling asking them to appear to the electoral office. “Those who appeared following the notice had their names reinstated in the list and those who failed to be present, their names were struck off on Wednesday,” said a senior administration official.
Both Gurung and Giri have been absconding following the 104-day bandh at the hills which began in June 2017. Gurung had been charged under the Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA) and several sections of IPC for murder, arson and rioting.
Administrative officials said that according to the rules of the election commission, while revision of electoral lists, among other conditions, if a resident was found absent for over six months, he or she is served a notice to be present at the office, failing which his/her name is taken off the list.
Following the unrest in the valley, GTA chief Chief Executive Bimal Gurung and other 45 elected members had resigned from their post. Another GJM leader Binay Tamang was appointed to the board as its chief while Anit Thapa was made the vice chairman of the board.
Members close to the two leaders were appointed on the board of administration of GTA, the election to which had been due since August 2017.
In November last year, Binay Tamang, claiming the support of the majority of GJM leaders, had suspended Bimal Gurung, his wife Asha Gurung, Roshan Giri and 11 others for six months, from the party.
Political analysts said that it had been a calculated move of the TMC to make inroads at the hills. With the names of Gurung and Giri out, they would not be able to contest the GTA election, paving the way for the TMC-inclined members to take over the board.
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 "Former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung")
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