Fugitive Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) leader Bimal Gurung on Friday condemned the state government’s alleged move to strike his name, along with those of other Morcha leaders loyal to him and their families, off the voters’ list on ‘flimsy’ grounds.

In a statement he sent through his social media group, Mr Gurung also said that his party will fight the same in court, while he also appealed to the Gorkhas to raise their voice against it.

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“The removal of selective Gorkha names from the electoral roll by the West Bengal government, using dubious and vague means, goes against the very ethos and essence of our democracy. Despite all claims made by Mamata Banerjee to have forced the hills to smile again, the removal of my name, names of GJM party leaders, individuals loyal to the Gorkhaland demand and even our innocent family members by her government, betrays the nervousness and desperation on the part of the TMC government,” he said.

He added that it was now apparent that the TMC government will “leave no stone unturned to ensure that the dreams and demand for a Gorkhaland state remain buried, and the will of the people to fight back will be crushed forever.”

“But what they don’t seem to realise is that our dreams and aspirations to have a state of our own are like seeds. The deeper Mamata and her crony’s attempt at burying us, the stronger our roots will grow. The flimsy grounds, on which our names have been removed, should be protested against by every Gorkha. If we do not do so today, then that day is not far when one by one all Gorkha names may be similarly removed,” the press release said.

According to the fugitive leader, this is when the community should dig in their heels and resolve to stand taller in unity, “against tyranny.” “We will fight against this illegal attempt at subverting democracy through the courts, but in the meanwhile we request our people to unite and speak out against this dictatorship,” the release added.

A section of the media recently reported that the names of Mr Gurung, Morcha leader Roshan Giri, and some others, who are absconding ever since last year’s Gorkhaland agitation in the Hills, had been struck off the voter rolls by the Bengal government.