Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung underscored the need to form “peace committees” involving political parties and administration at police station levels, his demand possibly aimed at bolstering his image before the Bengal polls as skirmishes and acrimonious speeches have occurred in the hills ever since he resurfaced in October last year after three-and-half-years.

“There must be peace in the hills. In every thana, there must be a peace committee involving our party, other parties and the administration,” said Gurung.

There are precedents of the administration forming such committees especially during a major law and order situation and elections.

The two factions of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, one headed by Gurung and the other by Binay Tamang-Anit Thapa, are bitter rivals despite both being Trinamul allies.

A clash between two Morcha factions at Banersbeg tea garden was reported recently, followed by alleged attempts to capture Binay Tamang’s party office at Lebong.

On Thursday, Gurung supporters allegedly ransacked Tamang’s party office in Kalimpong, hours before Gurung addressed his first public meeting in the town after 2017.

Many observers believe Gurung is trying to soften his tone as the Tamang camp is making some inroads with their slogan “naya sooch, naya bichar (new thoughts, new ideas)”. Anit Thapa, also GTA chairman, seems to be carving out a separate identity through his measured speeches.

“The Bimal Gurung camp is probably realising that Anit Thapa’s decision to refrain from direct attacks and his stress on the need for peace is getting some takers. There is no doubt that people in the hills want peace,” said an observer. “It seems that Gurung wants to create a similar narrative, which is probably why he is stressing on a peace committee.”

The upcoming Bengal poll holds importance for both Morcha factions with both hinting they would pit their candidates against each other despite being Trinamul allies.

In Siliguri, senior CPM leaders criticised chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her party for forging “an understanding” with Gurung. “It is another attempt to cheat the residents of Darjeeling hills. They are simply following the same trick like the BJP,” said Siliguri MLA Asok Bhattacharya.

The Left leaders demanded Mamata should clarify how Gurung, a named accused in many cases related to violence during the Gorkhaland agitation, is roaming around freely in the region.

Support to farmers

Roshan Giri, general secretary of the Morcha’s Gurung faction, said on Friday that they would send a delegation to Delhi to show solidarity with farmers on Delhi borders protesting against the Centre’s new farm laws.

“We will send a 15-member delegation to Delhi to express our solidarity with farmers who are protesting for more than 40 days now. The Centre’s farm laws are anti-farmer and favour industrialists. We are against them,” said Giri.

Additional reporting by Bireswar Banerjee in Siliguri