123 Siliguri: A former ‘sabhasad' of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration was arrested by Darjeeling Police late on Saturday in connection with the 2017 murder of SI Amitabha Mullick.
Prakash Gurung, who was held at his Rimbik residence, was produced in a Darjeeling court, which remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.
On Feb 15, police arrested one Ayush Rai in the same case. Assistant public prosecutor Pankaj Prasad said: "The charge sheet is against 27 individuals, among which 15 warrants are pending for execution as all of them are absconding."
Prasad said Gurung had been evading arrest since 2017. "An arrest warrant was pending against him in connection with the murder of SI Amitabha Mullick. The charge sheet was filed on Jan 27, 2018, and on the same day a warrant was executed. He was on the run since then," Prasad said.
During the 2017 statehood agitation, which lasted 104 days, it was alleged that Gurung and his party members were holed up in Rangit jungle. When police attempted to raid their camp, gunfire ensued in which Mullick was killed.
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha functionary Bimal Gurung, the prime accused, surrendered before a Darjeeling court on Feb 13.
Prakash resigned from GTA in March 2017. He was also president of Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha, GJM's youth wing. He was elected from Rimbic Lodhama constituency in 2013. Prakash is now involved with Ajoy Edwards-led Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front.