The West Bengal Police on Saturday filed a case against Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung and two other GJM leaders under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
This is in connection with a bomb blast in Chowk Bazaar, at the heart of Darjeeling town, in the early hours of Saturday.
While there was no death or injuries, the shutters of the shops in the area were damaged.
The police said the explosion occurred when security forces were patrolling the area after midnight.
“Prima facie, it seems an improvised explosive device has been used. The names of Bimal Gurung, Pravin Subba and Prakash Gurung of the GJM have come up during the investigation. We are suspecting their involvement [in the case],” Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi told journalists.
Mr. Chaturvedi said some gelatin sticks were stolen a month ago from Phoolbazar in Darjeeling, and “according to our inputs, these sticks may have been used in the blast.”
GJM leader Swaraj Thapa said: “Anti-Gorkhaland forces which do not want any discussion on the situation [in the Darjeeling hills] may be behind the explosion.”
He denied any role of the GJM in the blast.
The development comes at a time when the shutdown in the Darjeeling hills has entered the 66th day.