Unrest in Kalimpong.. Badri Narayan Pradhan dead

KalimNews, 8th May: Kalimpong remained disturbed throughout the day due to an alleged attack by GJMM cadres to some people  involved in pasting posters against GJMM. This morning several posters (see photo) supporting Sixth schedule formula of GNLF were pasted in the Kalimpong town area starting from Hat Bazar area towards the Main Road by GNSF ( student wing of GNLF) supporters. It is said that they had the permission from the police. 

While they were pasting posters near CK Chowk some of them were attacked with sharp weapons by armed supporters of GJMM  who were seen in the streets with arms like patang openly displayed. It followed with attack on other people and shops too. In the attack Gyalsten Bhutia (22) of  Goshkhan, Hari Dahal Secretary of  JSTO Committee (a teachers' wing of GJMM) and some others were injured and hospitalised. Ajay Agarwal a businesman as well as officer of marketing department of a Nepali daily and another army intelligence Officer too were attacked in the different incidents today. Some scribes too were not spared and threatened of dire consequence. After the incident there was a sudden commotion in the town area and shutters were down and all vehicles went off the road. After an hour everything went on smoothly.

Sources revealed that more than 11 GNLF new units are formed in Kalimpong town area and several people have rejoined GNLF. Mostly these members are from youth group and some from the GJMM itself. Press groups and anti GJMM political groups have condemned the incident of attack of GJMM against postering.

IRB jawans is deployed in the town to maintain law and order by the District Police. The situation is still not normal with undercurrents but under control.

Badri Narayan Pradhan Dead

Badri Narayan Pradhan, Ex-MP (Rajya Sabha), Political thinker and a renowned literary figure died of heart attack at his residence in Bagrakote, Jalpaiguri today at 1230 hrs. He was 81. According to family sources, the funeral will take place tomorrow at Sundari Busty near his residence in Bagrakote Tea Estate. Late Pradhan was the son of late Biru Narayan Pradhan and Padma Pradhan and born on January 14, 1929. He was MP from 3-4-1984 to 28-1-1986. He translated 'Mother' of Maxim Gorky in Nepali (Aamaa). He also worked as a teacher in West Sikkim during the time of the then Chogyals and also rendered his services as Headmaster of Bagrakote High School till he retired from the school. Late Pradhan was honoured with various literary awards by different social and literary bodies.