Golay supporters vandalise Rhenock Police Station, 10 arrested

PROTEST AGAINST PAMPHLETEERING AND DEMAND FOR KB CHAMLING’S ARREST GOES OUT OF HAND
GANGTOK, 11 Jan: First there was strong sloganeering, then the shops downed shutters, then the police station was gheraoed, then vandalized and finally Section 144 imposed on Rhenock bazaar. By late evening, 10 persons had been arrested on charges of rioting and other sections of the IPC for their alleged involvement in the incidents of the day. The East district town of Rhenock went through a tense Friday today.
Rhenock bazaar is presently under imposition of section 144 by which assembly of 5 or more people is not allowed and such assembly liable to arrest by the police. In the process of vandalisation today, the official vehicle of former MLA KB Chamling was damaged, several window panes at the police station broken, furniture upturned and the police have registered criminal cases of rioting and damaging public property against the perpetrators. As mentioned, by late evening, 10 persons had been taken into custody in connection with the events of the day. The details of the arrested persons could not be confirmed till the time of going to print. Officials inform that more arrests will follow.
It all started yesterday with the arrest of Janak Chettri, the driver of former MLA and present Chairman, KB Chamling, at Rhenock on charges of allegedly being in possession of over 200 booklets carrying derogatory and defamatory content against dissident SDF MLA PS Tamang. Today, supporters of PS Tamang, around 60 of them, reached Rhenock police station demanding the arrest of KB Chamling for allegedly masterminding the distribution of the defamatory pamphlets against Mr. Tamang.
When the response of the police was not in accordance to their demands, there was vandalizing of the official vehicle of KB Chamling [seized yesterday and impounded at the Police Station] and also stone pelting and damaging of the Rhenock police station this evening at around 4 p.m.
Golay supporters reached Rhenock at around 10 AM today demanding the arrest of the former Chief Whip of the SDF party, KB Chamling. SDPO Rongli and Rhenock police engaged them in a dialogue for most part of the day but there was no backing down from their demand. Mr. KB Chamling, as per sources, was at Aritar above Rhenock today.
When dialogue broke down, the agitating party of Golay supporters are reported to attacked the police station. IRBn personnel who had been deployed in view of potential law and order problem likely to arise, dispersed the mob and section 144 was imposed. Shops had closed down much earlier following an advisory of the police, it is learnt.
As per DIG [Range], V Vinayak, the situation is now more or less under control and criminal cases of rioting and damage to public property along with obstructing public servants from discharging their duties have been registered against those involved in the vandalisation today. Furthermore, as per the DIG Range, the culprits have been identified and will be rounded up and arrested.