4 SKM supporters booked for rioting

GANGTOK, 23 Jan: With the Assembly elections fast approaching incidents of political violence were expected and the first such clash this year has been reported from the South and West districts on Wednesday.

According to reports, on 22 January a group of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha [SKM] supporters interrupted a constituency level meeting being organized by the Sikkim Democratic Front [SDF] at Bermiok Secondary School in West Sikkim. The SKM supporters allegedly blocked the roads, used abusive language and pelted stones at the SDF gathering. No severe injuries were reported. The identified SKM supporters have been booked for rioting and causing hurt.

One Topzang Bhutia has been arrested while the police are on the lookout for other accused namely Roshan Pradhan of Ranipool; Phurden Lepcha of Nandugaon and Tika Hang Subba of Sombaria all of whom are reportedly absconding.    

Meanwhile, a ruling party press release details another attack by SKM supporters the same day. The release states that its supporters were attacked by SKM supporters at Papong under Temi-Namphing constituency of South Sikkim on the evening of the same day. SDF supporters were returning from the meeting held at Bermiok.

It is stated that the West district party organization secretary of the party was injured in the attack and is admitted in the Central Referral hospital, Tadong. Former Minister SB Subedi narrowly escaped the attack, it is added.

SDF has alleged that the same group of SKM supporters had earlier disturbed the SDF meeting at Bermiok. SKM has once again revealed its true nature by indulging in violence, the release alleges further demanding that the police arrest all involved in the attack. 

The ruling party has also urged its workers to keep calm and not to take law into their own hands or disturb the law and order situation in the state.