SLP lodges FIR against Old Settlers

SNS, Gangtok, 8 July : In the wake of the state-wide condemnation of the writ petition filed by an organisation championing the cause of the Old Settlers of Sikkim for containing derogatory comments on the citizenship-identity of the Nepali-speaking people settled in the state regarding the Income Tax exemption, a political party of the state, Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) has lodged an FIR at Sadar Thana, Gangtok against the petitioners. 

The SLP convener, Mr Duk Nath Nepal, said they had lodged the FIR yesterday against the individual signatories in the controversial writ petition, namely, Mr RC Mundra of Deorlai, Mr Balchand Sarda, former Gangtok MLA, Mr Amar Agarwal of Gangtok, Mr Raj Kumar Thirani of Gangtok, Mr Kaluram Agarwal of Jorethang, South Sikkim, Mr Rampujan Singh of Tadong and Ms Manita Pradhan of Gangtok. 

“We have complained that these anti-Sikkimese elements are intentionally trying to disturb peace and tranquility of the state by attacking the majority community, the Sikkimese Nepalese, by branding them as foreigners,” he said. 

“Moreover, they have challenged the constitutional provision exempting the genuine Sikkimese from paying Central Income Tax by praying to the Apex Court to issue mandamus to strike down the provision of IT exemption enjoyed by the bonafide Sikkimese,” he added. 

He further said that SLP has also urged the authorities to initiate an investigation against some of these people who had allegedly indulged in financial misconduct in the 1980s in reference to the infamous ‘Gift Racket’ scandal. 

“This scam had prompted the Government of India to extend Central Income Tax to the state,” Mr Nepal added. Similar FIRs was lodged at Pakyong police station in East Sikkim by Mr Palden Tamang, Mr Bhanu Basnett and Mr Peter Tamang of the Sikkim Liberation Youth Organisation. Another FIR was lodged with Sombaria police station in West Sikkim by Mr K B Thatal and Mr S B Karki of the Sikkim Liberation Krishak Organisation.