Tension escalates in Sikkim, Fallout of SKM bandh call

EOI

Gangtok : Tension in Gangtok and other parts of the state escalated today even as a sudden bandh called by the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha sent people panicking. SKM supporters staged a rally in the capital earlier in the day asking shopkeepers to pull down their shutters. But when the district administration and police asked them to reopen, the atmosphere was full of confusion and apprehension. The SKM had called the bandh demanding strong action against the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front MLA Tulsi Devi Rai, who according to the Morcha, had masterminded the Melli clash. The situation across the state remained tense throughout the day. Director General of Police Jasbir Singh, after bringing normalcy in Gangtok later in the afternoon, held a press conference at the police headquarters. “Since early morning, supporters of one of the political parties tried to enforce a bandh across the state,” he said. “The district administrations had to impose prohibitory orders in some areas and take necessary action in public interest.” 

 He urged all political parties in the state to rein in their supporters from indulging in violence. Meanwhile, reports of clashes from Geyzing in the West and Pakyong in the East District have also come to light. Police even had to resort to lathicharge in some of the places, according to sources. On the other hand, the SKM continued to press with its demand for the arrest of MLA Rai. “If the administration does not fulfill our demand, we will continue our protest indefinitely,” said general secretary Jacob Khaling. SKM leaders today also met with Chief Secretary R Ongmu and submitted a deputation accusing the SDF of misusing public property including pipes and GCI sheets for its foundation day preparations scheduled on March 4. Meanwhile, the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce requested the East District administration to deploy additional security along MG Road as some shops were vandalised allegedly by SKM supporters.

Fallout of SKM bandh call 

NAMCHI/GYALSING : Sikkim’s South District today witnessed sporadic incidents of clashes following the sudden strike called by the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha. The bandh was to demand the arrest of Melli MLA Tulsi Devi Rai, who allegedly masterminded the attack on SKM supporters in Melli and Turuk on February 28. Shops in many places of the district remained closed throughout the day, with reports of minor clashes from Melli, Namthang and Namchi. In Namthang, government vehicles of Upadakshya East Kalpana Tamang and Namthang BDO Robin Sewa were vandalised by miscreants. The Namthang branch of SBI and the Gram Vikash Kendra were also damaged. Tamang said she was heading to Jorethang to check the preparations for the SDF foundation day and had taken an alternate route through Namthang to avoid a possible confrontation in Melli. But when she was about to reach Namthang, Tamang claimed she was stopped by around 15 SKM vehicles and her car pelted with stones. Condemning the act, she said the people of Sikkim should understand that the real intention of the SKM is to disrupt peace in the state.

A peace rally was taken out in Namchi under the leadership of Namchi Singithang MLA Binod Rai condemning the ongoing violence. The situation in Jorethang is under control according, to SP (South) Sonam Gyatso. Jorethang is all set to host the SDF’s 22nd foundation day on Tuesday and heavy security has been arranged by the state and district administrations. Additional police and IRB personnel have been deployed across town to avoid any untoward incident. Meanwhile, reports of clashes from the West district between SKM supporters and police have come to light. The police had to resort to lathicharge and also fire a few teargas shells when a clash took place near the Tikjuk District Administrative Centre. Some policemen and SKM supporters were reportedly injured in the melee. DC (West) LP Chettri imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the DAC premises to bring the situation under control. Security has been tightened at various hotspots across the district.