Opposition condemns attack on media

GANGTOK, 08 Nov: Condemning the attack on the NOW! office, the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] has demanded that Pawan Chamling step down as the Chief Minister for what the party sees as his failure to maintain peace or uphold democracy in the state.
An SHRPP press release mentions that after the attack on Hamro Prajashakti and Himalayan Mirror five years ago, the repetition of such an act is most unfortunate. The party has alleged that as supporters of the ruling party have been arrested, SDF is to be held fully responsible for the incident and has demanded that those arrested not be released and strong action be taken against them.
With the attack on independent candidate, Geeta Sharma on 06 November and now this attack on a newspaper house, the SDF has no right to remain in power, the release expresses and demands that the Chief Minister step down on moral grounds.
Meanwhile, dissident SDF MLA, PS Tamang has also condemned the incident and alleged that the state government has always failed to initiate appropriate action on such attacks on the media in the state. Demanding stringent action against the culprits, Mr Tamang has further alleged that the series of attacks on the state’s media has exposed the ruling government and party’s inefficiency.
Also condemning the attack, Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee [SPCC] president, NB Bhandari has stated that the attitude and behavior of the members of the SDF party reflects what the party stands for. That appropriate legal action would be initiated against the culprits who belong to the ruling party is highly unlikely, Mr Bhandari has further commented.