SDF alleges SKM attacks

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 6 Jun 2019, Gangtok: The Sikkim Democratic Front has accused the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha of indulging in widespread post-poll violence by targeting its supporters and sought the intervention of governor Ganga Prasad to arrest the trend by taking legal action against all those involved in the incidents.

In a memorandum submitted to the governor on Tuesday night, the 13 legislators of the SDF, including its president and former chief minister Pawan Chamling, cited 83 instances of violence allegedly perpetrated by the SKM members since the election results were announced on May 23.

"There have been several incidents of violence being committed by the members/supporters of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) in the state. Many of the supporters and well-wishers of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) have been abused, physically assaulted, threatened and properties, both private and public, have been damaged. A huge number of vehicles have been damaged and burnt by them," the petition said.

Efforts to contact SKM leaders for their reaction to the SDF's allegations proved futile. Calls to both party spokesmen Jacob Khaling and Bikash Basnet went unanswered.

While Khaling is also the political secretary to chief minister P. S. Golay, Basnet is the confidential assistant of Golay.

The police, however, said some incidents of post-poll violence had indeed been reported but not on the scale that was being suggested.

"We have reports of postpoll violence from the South and West districts and they are being investigated," said D.B. Giri, the deputy inspector general of police, range, adding that about 10 complaints had been lodged with the police in the two districts.

Giri said some arrests had also been made in connection with the incidents, but the antecedents of those arrested were being probed..