SKM sees political conspiracy in hotel owner’s arrests

…FILES COMPLAINT WITH CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, THREATENS PROTEST IF ACTION IS NOT TAKEN AGAINST POLICE OFFICIALS

GANGTOK, 20 Mar: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has submitted a complaint against the Station House Officer [SHO] and Investigating Officer with the Chief Electoral Officer today in connection with the arrest of SKM officer bearer Pintso Chopel Lepcha under Immoral Trafficking [Prevention] Act.

Mr. Lepcha is the owner of Hotel Bayul where a teenaged boy was found dead in one of the rooms on Thursday [read accompanying news report for details].

SKM secretary general, MK Subba, in his complaint before the Chief Electoral Officer has alleged that the caretaker government headed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was conspiring with police officers to implicate SKM member Mr Lepcha in a false case to tarnish his image and that of the party as a whole.

After submitting the complaint, Mr. Subba told reporters here outside STNM Hospital, where Mr. Lepcha was admitted after his arrest, that the SKM party has asked the CEO to take action against the police officers involved in the arrest. If no action is taken by 11 AM on Friday, the party will stage a protest against the DGP and CEO, said Mr. Subba.

He further accused the Chief Minister of misusing government machinery to implicate an SKM leader without proper investigation or clear evidence.