Dhanmaya, the wife of beleagured GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh who died on Saturday and was prevented by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) from being taken to her home in Darjeeling, was cremated at the banks of the Mahananda river on Sunday.

Ghisingh, his son Mohan and around 20 relatives were present at the cremation, which was held amidst strict security provided by the West Bengal Government. Dipak Limber, a relative of the family, told newsmen that Dhanmaya’s last wish to be buried at the family burial ground in Darjeeling could not be fulfilled due to the opposition put up by the GJM, whose women’s wing put up road blockades on the way to the hills. As a result Dhanmaya, a Buddhist, was cremated as per Hindu rituals instead of being buried following the decision taken by Ghisingh himself.

Ghisingh has been forced to stay in a Teesta Project bungalow on the outskirts of Siliguri with Dhanmaya and Mohan since July 25 leaving his Darjeeling home following GJM diktat asking all GNLF leaders to leave the hills.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had described GJM’s action as “unfortunate” while Urban Development Minister Ashok Bhattacharya, who represents Siliguri, called it “inhuman”.