Darjeeling unrest: GJM chief Gurung's arrest will escalate violence in the hills, fear police

Amid the indefinite bandh in the hills of Darjeeling which entered its ninth day on Wednesday, police fear that the arrest of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurang may further escalate the violence. 

Gurang has been hiding at different locations since the day his office cum residence was raided, and some party activists were arrested.

Though police are making all attempts they fear that his arrest could lead to more tension in the hills. According to Hindustan Times, police fear that his arrest would turn him into a hero.

“The state government doesn’t want to take chances to arrest him,” said a senior intelligence official.

However, the GJM leader said that Gurang is safe and the hell will break out if he is arrested.

"I will fight for Gorkhaland until the last drop of my blood," said Gurang in a video message recorded before the raids. 

Security forces were patrolling the streets and Internet services remained suspended for the fourth day on Wednesday. Except pharmacies, all other shops remained closed.

Meanwhile, a group of women on Wednesday chose to resort to Gandhigiri to carry forward the demand for a separate Gorkhaland.

Carrying Indian flags and posters, the women organised rallies raising slogans, "We want Gorkhaland", 'Gandhi ke desh mein, Gandhigiri zindabad'.

A delegation of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha also met Union minister Kiren Rijiju and submitted a two-point memorandum demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland.