Cops to take stern action against pamphleteering

GANGTOK, 10 Jan: The politics of pamphleteering has begun once more in the State, and this time in earnest, with both the ruling front and the opposition parties, primarily the Golay camp, each having allegedly published, printed and circulated anonymous letters and booklets against each other. The state police department is viewing the matter rather seriously with the Police Headquarters having issued strict directives to the district police to curb the menace as well as take action against anyone involved in the circulation and distribution of pamphlets.
As per a directive issued a few days ago by the DIG [Range], Vineet Vinayak, all the Superintendents of Police in the districts have been directed to take strict action ‘as per law’ against the culprits. This direction has been issued as the police have come to know of numerous scurrilous and defamatory pamphlets being distributed across the state by various people. The SPs of the respective districts have been directed to initiate strict action against anyone found to be engaging in their publication/ distribution.
Recently, a booklet was being circulated targeting the Chief Minister and his son as well which showed news clippings of Nepal based papers on the CM’s tour of Nepal etc. Then again, a few days back, another booklet, this one targeting PS Tamang and his group was in circulation which alleged various acts of corruption on the Upper Burtuk MLA during his tenure as Minister in the past.
In fact complaints against this have been lodged in the Sadar police against a particular allegedly SDF worker. On the other hand, the Rhenock police is also informed to have filed a complaint against the driver of a former MLA. It is informed that a bundle of pamphlets was found in his vehicle.