BGP condemns Sibchu killings, demands enquiry by Supreme Court judge

GANGTOK, 11 Feb: The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh’s Sikkim-unit has condemned the death of three GJM supporters in a police firing in West Benagl on 08 Feb.
In this regard the BGP has submitted a letter to the President of India, the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Governor and the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Defence Ministry, Central Home Secretary, Human Rights Commission and the Minority Commission demanding immediate reaction by the Centre to restore peace in the Darjeeling Hills. It has also strongly contended that the creation of Gorkhaland was the only lasting solution to this violence, a BGP press release states.
The memorandum is signed by BGP-Sikkim president, Kamal Gurung, working president, Narayan Bhattarai, general secretary, S Pandey, National Working Committee members Pravin Khaling and CP Giri.
The memorandum has also demanded that the Centre institute an enquiry committee headed by a Supreme Court judge to investigate the incident at Sibchu in West Bengal and that those guilty of having perpetuated State violence on a peaceful procession be punished as per law.
The police firing, the memorandum contends, was an act of cowardice.
The memorandum has also demanded that paramilitary forces be withdrawn from Darjeeling, accusing them of vitiating the peace in Darjeeling.
The BGP press release adds that it will also now build up support for the movement for statehood more forcefully even in Sikkim.