Hate posters spark off new row

SNS, Gangtok, 26 July 2013:Posters containing ethnically inflammable remarks pasted in various places across East and West Sikkim districts have sparked off a fresh row in the state. Amid fears of the communal harmony being breached by the writ petition filed by Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS) allegedly targeting the Sikkimese people, the issue of inflammable postering has spiraled into political muckraking. 

The AOSS denied its involvement in the hate-poster campaign and filed an FIR with Sadar police station yesterday, requesting police to investigate the matter. “The association has no connection whatsoever with the matter. We strongly condemn such dangerous posturing apparently perpetrated by some goons who are out to malign the peace-loving old settlers of Sikkim,” said a spokesperson for the AOSS. 

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) said that certain ‘opportunists and vested interests’ are misleading the people on the issue of the Old Settlers, that is now in the court. On the posters, the party spokesperson, Bhim Dahal said these were aimed at puncturing peace and tranquility. 

“We appeal to the people not to be provoked,” he added. The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), being backed by the solitary rebel MLA Mr Prem Singh Golay, yesterday took the issue to the state’s chief secretary. The SKM team, led by its vice president Mr T N Dhakal, submitted a memorandum regarding the issue. 

“We wonder how the Pawan Chamling government is allowing such things to happen. This is outright condemnable. The state government’s silence is deafening,” said the SKM’s working president, Mrs Bharati Sharma. Demanding immediate action against the perpetuators, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state unit said the matter has presently moved beyond the contours of income tax exemption. 

“This is a dangerous game. It might escalate tension in the country as well,” said a party leader. The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) also condemned the provocative postering, stating that some anti-Sikkimese elements in the state are bent on breaching communal harmony. “The attack is malignant and intentional,” said Mr Prabin Khaling, BGP’s general secretary for Sikkim.