Jyoti Brahmin lights the diya at Chowrastha. Picture by Suman Tamang

Darjeeling, April 14: Two murders in 48 hours threatened to mar the Nepali New Year celebrations here today. Residents, however, put the disturbing news behind them and came together to felicitate the hill community?s heroes in a moving programme held at Chowrastha.

The murder of Ramu Subba (51) ? a small time politician who had been associated with all the major hill parties ? last night, had earlier threatened to spoil the celebrations. Subba, whose face had been brutally smashed, was identified by his second wife Manila Subba early this morning after his body was found lying on Dali Rock Garden Road. Darjeeling police superintendent Rajesh Subarno, however, has ruled out any political motive in the murder.

However, the residents? confidence must have been boosted by the swift police action in nabbing Gopal Rai (21), the prime accused in the murder of Migma Tshering Bhutia at Jorebunglow on Wednesday night. Rai was caught from Sukhiapokhri this morning. ?We have also recovered the murder weapon and the accused has confessed to his crime,? Subarno said.

With the situation under control, people assembled to take part in the Gorkha Ekta Diwas organised by the All Gorkha Student?s Union (Agsu). The apolitical students? union felicitated a host of luminaries who have made the hill community proud in their respective fields. Former Miss India Earth Jyoti Brahmin, singers Kunti Moktan and her husband Shilabahadur Moktan, author C.K. Shrestha, former bodybuilder Ganesh Bahadur (Ganu) Giri and promising footballer Chrispin Chhetri were honoured at the programme.

Polls play spoilsport

The Assembly elections have forced residents of Kurseong to restrict their celebration of the Nepali New Year to a single day, instead of the customary 10 day-long extravaganza, reports our Kurseong correspondent. The organisers, Gorkha Sanskritik Sansthan, said they had to cut short the celebrations as most of their members were engaged in poll duty. A small rally from Kurseong Motor stand to the bus terminus there was brought out to mark the day.