CID takes over probe into West Bengal SI's murder

Darjeeling, Oct 23 : West Bengal's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over from the state police the probe into the killing of police Sub-Inspector Amitava Malik in Darjeeling, a CID official said on Monday.

"The CID will now investigate Malik's murder. The case has been handed over to the CID on Monday," CID Deputy Inspector General Nishad Parvez told IANS.

Malik was shot dead on October 13 during an alleged gunfight between security forces and Gorkha Janamukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung's followers in Darjeeling. Four other police personnel sustained injuries.

Malik was part of a police team that raided a forested area close to Gurung's residence at Patlebas on October 13 in order to catch the GJM supremo who has been in hiding since a lookout notice was issued against him.

Though police failed to catch Gurung, it allegedly seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 assault rifle and gelatin sticks, from the camp.

West Bengal Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha visited Darjeeling last week to take stock of the security situation and met the injured police personnel.