Melli gun violence: Accused Kunal Pradhan’s wife claims that the victims were not shot by her husband

Kalimpong, 12th March: A press conference by the accused Councillor Kunal Pradhan’s wife, Reema Pradhan, the Melli gun violence has taken a different turn.
During a press conference in Kalimpong, on Thursday, Reema Pradhan claimed that two victims of the Melli gun violence were not shot by her husband but instead were accidentally hit by the bullets. She further alleged that the incident was a “pre-planned” event instigated to frame her husband.
As per the accused’s wife, Kunal left for Melli after he was invited to a meeting conducted by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s Women’s Wing. After the meeting was over, Kunal came face to face with a group of youths carrying weapons and their faces were covered with Holi (colored powder). Reema claimed that the youths tried to attack Kunal, who then fired bullets while trying to run for his life. During the course, the bullets, unfortunately, hit the “two innocent victims”.
While addressing the media, Reema Pradhan maintained that her husband has not returned home after the incident, nor has he made any contact with her. Reema claimed that the weapons found in the car were not owned by Kunal. She requested the police administration to investigate the incident justly and bring the truth to light. She also appealed to GJM Chairman Binay Tamang to conduct a fair inquiry into the incident.
It is to recall that following a dispute over the Sivok-Rangpo railway project in Melli on March 10, Kunal Pradhan, Ward No. 1 Councillor of Kalimpong Municipality, allegedly fired bullets at two youths, Puran Magar and Pemba Tamang, injuring them. While the youths are currently undergoing treatment, the accused Councillor has been absconding ever since the incident. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Binay Tamang expelled Kunal Pradhan and his associates soon after the shooting incident surfaced.