Later, supporters of the deceased leader, Subodh Pradhan, went on a rampage and attacked the locals in retaliation. They ransacked several residences and government property.

Darjeeling SP Rahul Srivastav, who visited the spot, told The Indian Express from Kurseong that five persons, including a gram panchayat Pradhan from Rohini who was till recently a Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) member, were arrested near Siliguri in connection with the murder of the Morcha leader. He added that Morcha supporters who went on a rampage have also been identified.

“Subodh Pradhan and six others had forcibly entered a Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) tourist lodge in Rohini at around 1.30 am, after the caretaker refused to let them in. When the caretaker protested, he was beaten up by Pradhan and his associates. The caretaker then roused people living nearby. A large number of locals, armed with sharp weapons, stormed the guest house and beat up the GJM members. Pradhan was killed on the spot. Four others have been admitted to hospital,” Srivastav said.

He added that in the afternoon, the GJM-led mob torched the guest house.

“They ransacked several residences in the vicinity as well. We expect to arrest those involved in rioting and arson by tomorrow. To prevent further clashes, a picket has been posted at Rohini, and several mobile patrols have been deployed in the area,” Srivastav said, adding that while the area was still tense, no prohibitory orders have been issued.

Those arrested include gram panchayat pradhan Krishna Bahadur Diwali, who had left the GNLF two months ago and joined the GJM, as pressure from the Morcha built up in their bid to remove GNLF presence from the district.

The rise of the Morcha’s power in the Darjeeling Hills has seen GNLF leader Subash Ghisingh and many DGHC councillors and office-bearers relocating to Siliguri.

Sources in the district administration said Pradhan and his associates were holding a New Year’s eve party at the lodge, which locals sympathising with the GNLF, including Bahadur Diwali, objected to.

GJM spokesperson Binay Tamang, however, rubbished the police version, claiming it to be “baseless”. “The attack is the handiwork of the GNLF and the CPM. Pradhan was the convenor for the DGHC constituency of Giddapahar and Pankhabari.

He and the others were in Rohini last night on party work, and were staying at the tourist lodge. Late at night, around 20 persons led by Diwali attacked them. Diwali had recently ‘surrendered’ to us. The injured include Suraj Subba, general secretary of the Morcha trade union. His condition is serious,” Tamang said.