Sikkim rivals trade bypoll `attack' barbs

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 14 October 2019, Gangtok: The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and Opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) are locked in a war of words following incidents of violence in the Poklok-Kamrang Assembly constituency from where chief minister and SKM president P.S. Tamang (Golay) is contesting a bypoll.

"We want to appeal to the ECI to conduct an impartial inquiry. A lot of atrocities are taking place in Poklok-Kamrang and the situation demands your attention. We believe only the deployment of maximum number of paramilitary forces in the area will ensure a free and fair election," said Ganesh Rai, vice-president of the SDF.

The incidents of violence occurred on October 10 when SDF supporters under the leadership of party president and former chief minister Pawan Chamling were campaigning in Poklok-Kamrang where the bypoll will be held on October 21. Chamling alleged that stones were hurled at his convoy in one of the incidents, injuring eight persons, including his daughter Komal.

While the police claimed in the absence of any complaint, they had registered a suo motu case and arrested seven persons. The SDF, however, questioned the need for the police to act on their own with such unusual haste.

Rai said by the police's own admission, they registered a suo moto case within half-anhour of being informed about the incident, and converted the party's FIR into a general diary. "Is the registration of suo motu FIR an attempt to help us or save the culprits involved in the incident at the behest of someone else?" he asked.

The ruling SKM accused the SDF of trying to play up the incidents to get the byelection cancelled and prevent Golay from continuing as chief minister. "Your president (Chamling) has seen no other option but to create violence in Poklok-Kamrang and get the election cancelled just to stop Shri P. S. Tamang from becoming the full-fledged chief minister of Sikkim," said B. B. Bhandari, an SKM spokesman, in a written response.

Golay will have to get himself elected to the Assembly to continue in office as he had not contested the April polls because of legal problems. Gangtok and Martam-Rumtek are the other two constituencies where byelections will be held..