Singtam violence: The day after JAC calls for ‘janta curfew’ in Sikkim on Monday

 15 held in two separate cases

DICHEN ONGMU, EOI, GANGTOK, APRIL 9, 2023 : The Joint Action Council (JAC) has called for a one day janta curfew on Monday in solidarity to JAC General Secretary Keshav Sapkota who was assaulted  in  the  Singtam  violence  on Saturday.  

JAC  has  also  urged  all  the legislators of the Sikkim Assembly to reject the Finance Bill 2023 in a special session ofthe assembly to be held on Monday. 

JAC Vice President, Passang Sherpa, emphasized the importance of putting the interests of the Sikkimese people and their identity first, regardless of political affiliation. JAC is also  calling for the removal of the amendment in the Income Tax exemption Act, section10 (26AAA), and a return to the terms agreed upon in the May 8 Agreement.

In addition, JAC executive Duk Nath Nepal has called for a one-day Janta curfew on April 10, asking Sikkimese people to protest from home to show solidarity with Keshav Sapkota, who was injured in the violence at Singtam on Saturday. The aim of the protest is to demand the rejection of the Finance Bill  2023.  

JAC  is  urging employees and students to understand why it is essential to reject the bill. JAC claimed that their request for a peaceful assembly for the cause to draw the attention of Governor Lakshman Acharya was denied. They clarified that peaceful assembly did  not  require permission unless a microphone or loudspeaker was used, and that the Sikkim Police seemed unaware of this fact. 

Regarding Keshav Sapkota's injuries, JAC stated that the charges against JAC had been changed from an attempt to murder to grievously  hurt,  which  was a bailable offence. JAC condemned the attack and criticized a Singtam Nagar Panchayat functionary for allegedly hitting his own people to blame JAC. JAC has also called for justice for Keshav Sapkota. 

Fifteen persons have been arrested in two separate cases of Singtam violence on April 8.  According to the police, the arrests have been made as per the videos of violence circulating on social media. 

A case has been registered at Singtam PS u/s 325/34 IPC against Suresh Tamang, Uttam Pradhan, Bidhan Shanker, Prakash Pradhan, Jullet Subba, Phula Bhutia, Chandra Kumar Sharma, Nikhil Rai, Sanjiv Kr. Gurung, Suman Tamang, Lha Tshering 15 held in two separate cases Bhutia,  Mantosh  Subba, Ongdup Gyatsho Lepcha, Shayog Tamang, Kedarnath Tiwari Suresh Tamang had filed the initial complaint accusing Keshav Sapkota, Kedarnath Tiwari, and Navin Karki of  assaulting his companion Ajay Tamang with a hammer during their journey towards the Indreni Bridge in Ghoskhan Dara, where a JAC rally was taking place.

Another case has been filed on the basis of a separate complaint filed by Working President of  JAC Ashis Rai and Vice President of JAC Tirtha Sharma against the culprits who assaulted General Secretary of  JAC Keshav Sapkota before the scheduled rally of  the JAC, detailing  how a group of individuals from Singtam Bazaar physically attacked the JAC General Secretary to disrupt and prevent the peaceful rally procession. 

Both the victims Sapkota and Tamang are undergoing treatment  at CRH Manipal. Meanwhile, Kedarnath Tiwari, who has been arrested by the Sikkim Police in this case, has denied the accusations against him and is appealing for justice