‘Couldn’t stand people cheering for GTA built on my husband’s body’

Amidst the celebrations at the swearing-in ceremony of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) in Darjeeling today, Bharti Tamang, the widow of Madan Tamang — who was murdered in broad day light in front of scores of people at the centre of Darjeeling in May 2010 — was a lonely, languishing soul.

Talking to The Sunday Express, Bharti Tamang said: "Today I was trying to watch the live telecast of the swearing-in ceremony for the GTA members. But I had to switch off my TV as I could not tolerate people cheering for the GTA, which was formed and bargained over the dead body of my husband."

Bharti renewed her resolve to fight the battle legally and sat through the day arranging her legal documents to seek justice from the Central and state governments for her husband. Tamang was the All India Gorkha League president when killed brutally. Top Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders were implicated for the leader's murder.

"I now feel like leaving Darjeeling and all of those people who are rejoicing today for which my husband was brutally murdered. I want to leave Darjeeling but my husband's memories hold me back here. After his death, our family was isolated and now after the GTA is signed, we fear that we may be dislodged out of our home. I see the killers of my husband moving freely," she sobbed.

Bharti had been fighting a case in the Calcutta High court seeking punishment for the murderers of her husband. "I have nobody by my side. I have knocked every door for seeking justice (for my husband). But it has fallen on deaf years. At least seven times I pleaded for an appointment with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but she never responded. She clearly bargained and made the GJM drop the demand for Gorkhaland and the people's aspiration in exchange for absolving their crime. I met Governor MK Narayanan but he advised me to contest in the election and fight it politically," Bharti rued.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Cong rallies demanding CBI probe

Mamata Banerjee to fund election campaign with proceeds of her paintings

Cops take Debjani to Saradha head office, seize documents and hard discs

Governor sets up campus probe team