Confusion over venue and permission sets up SUSA-dist admn confrontation in Namchi

NAMCHI, 08 Jan: Incomplete documentation, apparent communication gap, short nerves and confrontational attitudes sparked tense hours here today as members of the Sikkim United Students Association [SUSA] exchanged heated words with the district authorities and protested on the streets when they were initially disallowed from convening a meeting at the Indoor Gymnasium Hall here. The SUSA members blocked the road near the gym, raised slogans and were eventually allowed to hold their meet inside which was also attended and addressed by dissident SDF MLA PS Tamang accompanied by his supporters.
Matters came to a head when the SUSA members who had called an awareness meet at the Indoor Gymnasium Hall supposedly on social challenges facing the youth in Sikkim were refused access to the venue by the district authorities on the grounds that they did not have proper permission to hold such a meeting. This was at around 10 a.m.
When contacted, the SDM [HQ], Karma Bonpo, who was the centre of the heated arguments this morning, informed that the group was refused access to the venue because they did not have proper permission to hold the meeting.
Apparently, SUSA had secured an NOC or some similar permission from the Sports & Youth Affairs Department, but had not received permission from the district administration to hold the meeting. Interestingly, the Joint Director, SYA, South district, Kamal Chettri, further informs that when the organisers had approached him for permission, he had directed them to the DC’s office to secure a permission first. “SUSA members, however, managed to secure a permission letter from my junior in the department, the Assistant Director,” Mr. Chettri today informed now. He added that the AD did not consult him before issuing the permission on 05 January.
With the permission from the district authorities not secured and convinced that the meeting would have a strong political colour, he directed the AD to withdraw the permission as well, the Joint Director further informed.
The issue however kept deteriorating from thereon. Denied access to the venue, the group was already getting restive and soon the SUSA advisor, Roshan Pradhan, met the SDM to discuss the matter. The discussion reported turned into a heated argument and ended with Mr Pradhan being detained by the police on charges of misbehaviour. He was later released.
The SDM reiterated that members of the students’ association had taken permission only from the Sports and Youth Affairs Department and not from the District Administration following which he had refused the programme to be held.
The association was eventually allowed to conduct the programme at the Gymnasium. The programme, which began at around 1 p.m., meant to be an awareness programme for students and educated youth of the state was also, as mentioned, attended and addressed by dissident SDF MLA.
Speaking on this morning’s incident, Mr Tamang expressed regret that the district administration had acted under political pressure and tried to suppress people’s rights. He then launched into a strong tirade against the State Government.
The programme was also addressed by SUSA president Karma Tsh. Bhutia, and advisor Roshan Pradhan who alleged that the State Government has misguided the youth.