ASESE&UA takes out protest rally in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 09 Oct: The All Sikkim Educated Self Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA], as announced earlier, took out its ‘Maha Juloos’ protest rally from old Bansilall Petrol Pump to Ridge Park today. The rally registered a much lower turnout than what had been projected.
The rally was called to protest what the organization sees as illegal appointments in government service, unethical extension of service along with a demand for protection and implementation of real democracy in the state.
Taking part in the rally were the association’s chief advisor, former SSP MP [1979-84] Pahalman Subba, and chief patron, SIBLAC’s Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad [SHRPP] president, Dr AD Subba, SHRPP general secretary, Tara Shrestha, other members of the party and members of the other political and non-political organizations.
Armed with placards and banners and raising slogans, the rally covered the route of the National Highway 31A upto Zero Point turning on to the Secretariat Road and finally concluded near the Ridge Park.
An effigy, which the organization said represented the State administration, was also carried along in the rally mimicking a funeral procession.
While addressing the participants, ASESE&UA president, Nawin Kiran called for a strike at Gangtok in November if the administration continues to ignore these issues and does not take any action. He further announced that those who have been supporting the association continuously will be included in the executive body of the ASESE&UA.
On the low turnout today, he said that the association was not discouraged and added that participation of the concerned persons was enough to raise their voices against the malpractices going on in the state.
Mr Kiran reiterated that the rally was mainly to protest nepotism and illegal recruitment in government service as well as service extension and further maintained that the rally was not against any individual but against the administration and the system in the state.
“Over phone and through social media, many have asked me if the association has any proof on the issues it has raised. I want to tell them that the association has a sack full of proof,” said Mr Kiran and urged people to contact the association if they want to see all the evidence gathered by the association through RTI and other mediums.