Making it clear that the Bimal Gurung-led faction of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) is still the only Hill ally of the ruling NDA at the Centre, Darjeeling MP and Union minister of state for drinking water and sanitation SS Ahluwalia on Friday said he would not let extra judicial killing of Mr Gurung happen as long as he remains the MP of the district.

According to Mr Ahluwalia, he has information that ‘some agencies’ were trying to “eliminate” Mr Gurung. Mr Ahluwalia also said he would visit Darjeeling after the budget session of the Parliament ends in April.

Mr Ahluwalia has come under fire for his prolonged absence in the Hills, especially during last year’s Gorkhaland agitation that paralysed the Hills for over three months. GJMM leader and chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) board Binoy Tamang has, meanwhile, demanded his resignation and termed him as a ‘tourist MP.’

“There are talks doing the rounds that I am sheltering and protecting Mr Gurung. The GJMM led by him is an ally of the NDA. I am a blind believer of non-violence, but I am also firm against atrocities, and repression on the innocent people by any agency. According to my information, some agencies are making attempts to eliminate Mr Gurung.

But I will not let any extra judicial killing as long as I am an elected representative from this region. I will not allow anyone to use any extra judicial power to kill him,” Mr Ahluwalia said at his residence in Siliguri on Friday. He added that he is not aware of Mr Gurung’s present whereabouts. “It is not only for Gurung. I will take such a stand for anybody. Bimal Gurung is our ally and I will morally support him,” he added.

Mr Guriung has been elusive and gone into hiding and has been slapped with many court cases under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). About his absence in the Hills for almost eight months, Mr Ahluwalia said his visit during the Gorkhaland movement in the Hills could have flared up the situation.

“The Centre, my party and myself were blamed for whatever violence occurred in the Hills after 9 June (last year). I felt that under those circumstances, my visit would not tame the situation in the Hills, and that the administration would not stop its repression, but more strongly blame us for any incident. So I avoided the visits, but maintained regular contacts with the people there,” the MP claimed.

Talking about the stand of the GJMM led by Binoy Tamang on his visit, Mr Ahluwalia said, “I was elected by the people of Darjeeling, and the Lok Sabha area comprises seven assembly constituencies, and not Darjeeling alone. If anybody says I became the MP because of him only is saying it wrong.” Mr Tamang had on Thursday said Mr Ahluwalia was unwelcome in the hills until he apologises in public and steps down as the MP for not being with the people of his area when they needed him most.