PRE-POLL VIOLENCE Second death triggers war of words between SKM, SDF

EOI, Gangtok, 12 March 2014: The ongoing violence in Sikkim claimed its second victim late Tuesday night triggering a war of words between the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front and the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha.

Arun Rai (23) of Lower Rai Gaon under Chakung in West Sikkim, who was grievously injured in a clash on March 4, succumbed to his injuries last night at the Central Referral Hospital in Tadong near Gangtok.

Rai, an SDF supporter, was allegedly assaulted by a group of SKM supporters on the eve of the ruling front’s 22nd foundation day celebrations.

During a press conference today, SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal demanded the immediate arrest of the accused including SKM president PS Golay, accusing the latter of provoking his supporters.

“The arrested supporters of the SKM were bailed out yesterday and were accorded a warm welcome in Namchi. Murderers should not be welcomed by society, but kept behind bars,” said Dahal.

SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal (2nd L)

The SKM, meanwhile, has termed Rai’s death a conspiracy against the party and demanded a CBI inquiry. Calling a press conference today, party spokesperson Dilip Rai said, “We express our condolence to the bereaved family and offer our support. However, we totally condemn the strategy of the SDF of using Rai’s death as political propaganda.”

Calling it a conspiracy against the SKM, Rai questioned the inability of the ruling front to take the deceased outside the state for treatment.

The SDF countered the allegation saying doctors had ruled out the possibility of moving the patient given his severely injured head. The SKM retaliated by saying, “If the patient could not be moved out of the state, the party should have brought in specialist doctors for necessary treatment.”

The opposition party has described the incident the ruling front’s damage control ploy by to placate disgruntled supporters following the declaration of candidates on Wednesday evening.

SKM vice president TN Dhakal (R)
and spokesperson Dilip Rai

The SKM spokesperson alleged, “The life of 23-year-old Rai has been sacrificed to save the flag that was hoisted at Mintogang in 1994,” said Rai. “It’s just a tactic to divert the attention of party workers and the media from the widespread protest that has erupted after the release of the candidates’ list.”

SDF president and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling paid homage to Arun Rai at the party head office. “This young man, our party worker, fell victim to political extremism at a tender age of 23. An act of violence has resulted in the death of yet another young man and has left his family totally shattered,” wrote Chamling on his social networking site page.

He added, “I hope and pray such sad and shameful incidents are not repeated in future. Politics should be fought with ideology and not with the use of muscle power.”