Assault at Dairy Dara

GANGTOK, 23 May: A case has been registered at Namchi Police Station against three persons for assaulting a man. It was reported that the victim was on his way to work when he was assaulted by the accused at Dairy Dara, South Sikkim for no apparent reason. Efforts are underway to arrest the accused. The case is under investigation.

60-yr-old assaulted

GANGTOK, 10 Feb: One person was arrested by the Melli police on charges of assaulting a 60-year-old man. The incident took place on 03 February but the complaint with the police was lodged a few days later by the daughter of the victim who had been away.
The daughter was away attending the marriage ceremony of her sister. When she returned home she was informed that her father had been admitted at the Namchi district hospital where she found the victim, Gyan Bahadur Sarki, to be in critical condition.
The SDM, Namchi is reported to have taken the victim’s statement at the hospital. In the meantime the accused, Lakpa Sherpa, 40, of Melli Gumpa was taken into custody by the Melli police and later released on bail.

Assault victim dies, assailant booked for murder

GANGTOK, 31 Jan: A case of murder has been registered against one Dorjee Tshering Lepcha of Mamru basti on the death of Phurba Tshering Sherpa of the same village at the Ravangla Police Station today.
Dorjee Tshering Lepcha [24], it is suspected, had some personal issues with Phurba Tshering Sherpa [52], a quarrel which is alleged to have led him to beat up the 52-year-old grievously on the night of 27 January. The injured victim was first admitted to the District Hospital at Namchi from where he was referred to the Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok, the next day.
It was here at the CRH that the victim succumbed to his injuries today at 9 a.m.
The assault charge on the accused was immediately converted to murder and a case under Section 302 [punishment for murder] of the Indian Penal Code registered against Dorjee Tshering Lepcha who has been taken into custody by the Ravangla Police.
The deceased used to work as a water fitter in the village.

Man arrested for scalding wife with boiling water

GANGTOK, 26 Dec: A 36-year-old has been arrested on charges of having scalded his wife with boiling water. Ashok Rai of Gelling, under Nayabazaar police station, was arrested by the police and charged with causing hurt. His wife, injured in the assault, is undergoing treatment at the Namchi hospital.
The incident took place on 18 December but was reported to the police only on 23 December when the brother of the victim noticed the burn injuries. The accused is reported to have caused severe burn injuries by pouring hot water over the victim. The victim’s statement has also been recorded under section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1892. The accused has been arrested and sent to judicial custody.

SAP personnel assaulted while foiling theft attempt at hydel project site

GANGTOK, 17 Aug: A case of theft and assault has been registered against two persons and some others at the Gyalshing Police Station on 16 August.
On 16 August a written complaint was received from Constable Umesh Subba of Sikkim Armed Police stating that on 15 August at around 4 PM, he along with his colleague CT Sangay Topden Bhutia, also of SAP, deployed Bhaluthang at the hydel project being developed by Shiga Power Energy Pvt Ltd, were patrolling Adit I and Adit II at lower Bhaluthang when one Bharna Singh Subba of lower Bhaluthang along with 2 or 3 others [who could not be identified by the complainant] were seen stealing iron rods belonging to Shiga company.
Seeing this, the complainant along with his colleague tried to stop the pilferage when one Prem Singh Subba from the group stopped them by throwing stones and later by forcefully holding the complainant’s uniform collar and intimidating by using foul language.
The complainant further states that he reported the matter to his guard commander.  However, on 16 August at around 8 AM, Prem Singh Subba along with a group of about 10/15 local people again came to the Adit I site and threatened the complainant.
The Gyalshing police have arrested Prem Singh Subba [48], resident of Bhaluthang, Gyalshing, West Sikkim and efforts are on to arrest the other accused, Bharna Singh Subba. A case under section 379/336/341/353/506 [punishment for theft, act endangering life or personal safety of others, punishment for wrongful restraint, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty and punishment for criminal intimidation] of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Gyalshing Police Station and is under investigation.

Cops announce cash award for info on JB Darnal assailants

MEANWHILE, SOUTH POLICE WORKS ON SPECIFIC LEADS 

GANGTOK, 13 Aug: The South district police are onto specific leads which are being followed up diligently in order to apprehend the culprits behind the murderous attack on JB Darnal, the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee vice president recently. While senior police officials are tightlipped about disclosing the kind and nature of the leads as it may hamper the ongoing investigation, they confirmed that the police have some suspects whom they are “watching closely”.
Meanwhile, the office of the SP [South] has announced a cash award of Rs. 10,000 to anyone with any information on the culprits which will lead to their arrest. The SP informs that people with such information/ leads can approach the police, either at the police headquarters in Gangtok or the South district police headquarters at Namchi, with concrete information. Such persons can also contact the police on email or on mobile phone.
“The identity of the informant will be kept confidential,” assures the SP South.
Such individuals with any information can approach the DGP, Jasbir Singh at 9434011127 or ADGP SD Negi at 9434022961 or DIG/R, V Vinayak at 7407000222 or SP South at 9733344400.
As for the leads on the attackers, these are at a preliminary stage and hopefully will lead to some kind of breakthrough, officials inform. The sniffer dogs deployed by the police to trace the attackers took the police to a jhora Mr. Darnal’s home at Namthang, South Sikkim, after which the trace vanished.
The water body erased further trace of the attackers and the dogs could not go further. The rains too helped in erasing tracks of the culprits. As of now, the police are engaged in marking the possible route which the attackers might have taken on their escape. At the same time people residing in the nearby areas are also being interrogated for any information they might have.
While the police have some suspects in mind they are not revealing any names yet. The movements of the suspects are being verified and information being gathered on their activities.
On the matter of the cash award, the SP South clarified that some people may require some incentive in order to approach the police with information. He further stated that the cash incentive for information was in addition to efforts being put in by the police themselves in hunting down the culprits.
Mr. Darnal was attacked by two masked men at his home on the night of 11 August with weapons causing him severe injuries. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok.

Assault in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 13 Aug: Incidents of assault, particularly with weapons, seem to have become more frequent. In Nayabazaar, West Sikkim, a group of about 6 to 7 youth reportedly assaulted a couple of persons with iron rods seriously injuring one of them.
The assailants are yet to be traced by the police.
According to reports, two of the accused have been identified as Ajit Rai [alias ‘Tyson’] and another as Sajit Rai. They were allegedly accompanied by around 6 other persons in the assault on Anand Rai and others.
It is informed that Anand Rai along with Gopal Rai and others of Rohtak, West Sikkim, were in a canteen owned by Santosh Rai on the evening of 10 August, when, at around 9 PM, a group of youth arrived in a vehicle and began assaulting them with iron rods.
In the incident Anand Rai is reported to have sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Jorethang PHC from where he was forwarded to the Namchi hospital. The Nayabazaar police are yet to trace the accused party which has been booked on charges of rioting and the case is under investigation.

SPCC member attacked at Namthang; Assault politically motivated says Bhandari

NAMCHI/ GANGTOK, 12 Aug: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee member, JB Darnal, who was brutally attacked at his residence at Bingbong, Namthang near Mamring last night at 7:35 PM was brought to Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok, for a CT Scan from South District Hospital this evening. Mr. Darnal, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2009 Assembly elections on a Congress ticket from Zoom-Salghari, has suffered grievous injuries to his scalp along with injuries to his hands, abdomen and back.
Mr. Darnal is convinced that the attack was premeditated and politically motivated.
While speaking to NOW! today, Mr. Darnal said that the attackers had obviously scouted the area in advance. “Otherwise, they would not have been familiar enough with the area to have escaped so quickly,” he said.
He added that he has no personal enmities to have warranted such an attack and remains convinced that the motivation was political.
About the incident, he said: “I had just finished eating dinner when two persons clad in black masks barged in and threw chilly-powder on my face before they started hacking me with a bamphok. Police have also found a bamphok with the price tag of Rs.450 still stuck on the handle. They had planned the attack in advance and knew from where they could make their escape. It was when I too got hold of my khukuri and retaliated that they ran away. The mask of one attacker was also left behind in the scuffle. One of them could also be injured”.
Not naming names directly, when asked whom he suspected of being behind the attack, Mr. Darnal dropped a broad hint stating that the hearing of his challenge in the High Court against the institution of the RK Patra Commission by the State Government was coming up on 22 August.  
Present at the hospital here was the SPCC president, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who reiterated that the entire episode had a political agenda and questioned the law and order situation in the State under the present government.
“I do not have faith in the government as even till now we have not got justice for the killings of four of our party supporters that include South district general secretary, Taraman Chettri, Pema Lepcha of Chakung, Pempa Bhutia of Sang and Dhan Maya Darnal of Jorethang, all of who were murdered in cold blood,” the SPCC president stated.    
He further stated that the police however were investigating the case and that he had spoken to the DGP yesterday seeking the quick arrest of the accused. He also informed that dog squads had been put in action and the police were investigating the matter thoroughly.
While stating that he did not want to divulge further information as it could hamper the investigations, Mr. Bhandari said that at Namchi hospital a huge gathering of sympathizers had gathered condemning the brutal attack, however, no representative of the SDF party had come forward to condemn the heinous attack.
Meanwhile, the District Collector [South] and Superintendent of Police [South] visited Mr Darnal at the Namchi District hospital this morning while Opposition leaders Bhojraj Rai, BJP State unit president Padam Chettri, SPCC vice president Lalit Sharma Adhikari, Mr. Bhandari himself and other leaders also met Mr Darnal.
An FIR was filed at Namchi Police Station following which a case has been registered as Case no. (39)12 Under Section 458/307/34 IPC against unknown persons.
The BJP-Sikkim president has condemned the attack and called for the early arrest of the culprits. Also calling for strict action against the guilty by the state government he stressed that this incident should not be ignored like similar other attacks on members of the opposition have been in the past.
Mr Chettri supported the “politically motivated” contention attack and while stating that although it is not clear as to who was behind the incident but if the ruling party is found to have had a hand in it then they will be prompted to tackle the case accordingly.
ASESE&UA has also condemned the attack as yet another example of “lawlessness” taking roots in the state. Many such attacks on vocal individuals, groups including members of the media have been witnessed in the past and every time the state’s police have failed to nab the culprits, states a press release issued by the association.

SDF condemns attack, rubbishes allegations against it

GANGTOK, 12 Aug: Sikkim Democratic Front has condemned the attack on Congress leader JB Darnal by some antisocial elements at his home at Namthang. The SDF party has also demanded the early arrest of the culprits and sought strict action against the guilty. The party also prayed for the quick recovery of Mr Darnal.

A press release issued by SDF spokesperson, Bhim Dahal, claims that the incident is an attempt to defame the ruling party and the state government by some anti-social elements. The allegations made against the SDF party by opposition leaders “without thinking once and without verifying the situation” is not right, expresses the release.

The party maintains that the SDF party has always believed in democracy, justice and law since its formation and has even been successful in establishing a democratic system of administration in the state. The party has urged the people to deliver their individual responsibility in order to maintain peace in the state and to prevent those trying to instigate violence and spread terror in the state. 

Alleged assault on cop

GANGTOK, 15 June: A case of assault has been registered against one Palden Lepcha [28] of Kaluk in West Sikkim at the Melli Police Station on 14 June.
According to a written FIR by ASI Tek Bahadur Pradhan of SB, Melli on duty at Melli Check Post, on 14 June at around 4 PM, the accused assaulted him with fists and blows.
Accordingly the accused was arrested and the victim was taken for medical examination. A case under section 353 [assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty] of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against him at the Melli Police Station and the case is under investigation.

Advocate arrested on charges of assault

GANGTOK, 23 March: An advocate has been arrested by the Namchi police on charges of assault on the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Namchi. As per reports, the accused, Amitab Shanker, an advocate by profession, was arrested by the police on the complaint of the SDM that she had been abused and humiliated by the accused who also allegedly misbehaved with her on 22 March at around 10:30 a.m. in the course of a case hearing in her office.

Two cases of assault in Jorethang

GANGTOK, 13 Mar: One person has been arrested by the Jorethang police on charges of domestic violence. The accused, Suren Rai, 35, a resident of Rong basti has been accused of assaulting his wife by the brother of the victim. The incident took place on 10 March and the beating so severe that the victim had to be admitted to the Namchi district hospital.
In another case of assault, also in Jorethang, two persons have been arrested on charges of having assaulted one Pratap Tamang on 11 March. According to reports the incident took place when Pratap Tamang, 30, was returning home in the evening after visiting relatives when he was allegedly attacked by Nar Bahadur Limboo and Ram Bahadur Rai, for stepping on their pig fodder and spreading it all over.

Altercation over Govt contract leads to assault at Rangpo

GANGTOK, 09 Mar: The filing of tenders for a government project has led to a case of grievous assault in Rangpo. Six persons are reportedly absconding after having allegedly attacked and hurt two others at Rangpo on the night of 07 March at around 11:30 PM.
As per reports the two victims are Amosh Rai and the brother of Simon Rai of Rangpo Bazaar who is also the complainant. As per his complaint with the Rangpo police the two victims were assaulted upon by Bisa Biswakarma and 5 others with khukuri at Lower IBM, Rangpo.
It is informed that the two sides were engaged in a heated argument that day over the submission of tender forms at the Rangpo Nagar Panchayat office which led to the assault later in the night. All 6 accused are absconding at present.

Sumbuk youth booked for cop assault

GANGTOK, 06 March: One person has been arrested by the Jorethang police on charges of having assaulted a police constable. While there were more than 1 attacker, the police has, as of yet, managed to nab only one of the accused, namely, Uttam Chettri of Sumbuk, South Sikkim.
As per reports, the constable, Narad Rai attached with Sumbuk police outpost, was returning to Sumbuk on his motorcycle at around 11 pm on 04 March after completing his duty at Jorethang. On approaching Kitam Phatak, a vehicle intercepted him and the occupants reportedly assaulted him. In the process the motorcycle was also damaged.

Woman assaulted and robbed in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 23 Feb: A case of assault and robbery against unknown persons has been registered at the Uttarey Police Station on 22 February.
On the intervening night of 21 and 22 February, some unknown persons entered the house of one Jiwan Kumari Chettri, assaulted her and made away with her gold chain, cell phone and some cash. According to a written complaint filed by the victim’s sister-in-law Lachi Maya Chettri, the victim was found lying on her bed with several injuries to her forehead. She was then taken to Dentam PHC for medical examination.
No arrests have been made, however civil sources and police personnel in plainclothes have been deployed to apprehend the culprits.

Altercation leads to assault and robbery

GANGTOK, 23 Feb: Two persons were booked for robbery at the Jorethang Police Station on 22 February.
A written complaint filed by Bhanu Bhakta Manger of Sumbuk with In-charge [Sumbuk Outpost] alleges that he was assaulted by Tshering Lepcha and Kishore Rai of Sumbuk on 17 February. They also snatched his mobile phone, torch light and some cash. The In-charge [Sumbuk Outpost] then forwarded the complainant Bhanu Bhakta Manger to Namchi District Hospital and then to STNM Hospital in Gangtok, where he is admitted at present.
It was revealed that on 17 February, the three had gathered at the house of one Saran Kumar Pradhan at Sumbuk, where the accused Tshering Lepcha and the complainant got into a discussion regarding credit of Rs. 500 reportedly taken by the accused. Susma Pradhan [wife of Saran Kumar Pradhan] intervened and then dispersed them. Later on, they met again near the house of Bhanu Bhakta Manger [the complainant] and assaulted him.
At present, both the accused [Tshering Lepcha and Kishore Rai] are at the STNM Hospital attending to the complainant Bhanu Bhakta Manger. A case under section 392/34 [punishment for robbery] of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Jorethang Police Station against the duo and the case is under investigation.

Common Platform submits memorandum to Governor on Singtam incident

WELCOMES OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION ON SCRAPPING OF TING TING AND LETHANG PROJECTS
GANGTOK, 10 Feb: Common Platform for joint action against hydel power projects in Sikkim has submitted a memorandum on the attack on two of its members at Singtam on 03 February to the Governor today. A team from Common Platform submitted a memorandum to the Secretary to the Governor at Raj Bhawan as the Governor is currently at Delhi.
To support their argument, the memorandum was also enclosed with a copy of the news item published in a regional daily and pamphlets published by the Common Platform inviting people to join the Pratiwad Rally against the hydel projects called for 13 February at Gyalshing in West Sikkim.
Addressing a press conference today, All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed and Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] president, Nawin Kiran mentioned that the attack was an attempt to stop the organization from conducting the rally but instead has further encouraged the Common Platform to carry it out in a massive way at its scheduled date and time. He further mentioned that the police have arrested one person in the case and was later on released on bail.
“In a democratic set up the ruling party and the government should function separately as the government is for all the people but this incident shows that there is no difference between the government and the ruling party and it is very unfortunate for democracy,” he expressed.
Citing news published in a regional daily which reported the possible involvement of two MLAs of the ruling party in the attack, he contended that if this was not true then the two MLAs should have condemned the news when it came out.
SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Common Platform to the state government for officially notifying the scrapping of Ting-Ting and Lethang hydel power projects on Rathong Chu River. He also thanked the organization and people of the state for supporting the Common Platform in protesting these projects. At the same time, Mr Bhutia urged the government to also scrap the Tashiding project as it still falls on the same river.
Mr Bhutia also said that T Nagendra Rao who is the CEO of Dans Energy, which has taken up the Tashiding project is running around approaching different banks for financial help. On the same, he urged the government to check the integrity, capacity and full details of the power developers in the state. He further urged the government to stop all ongoing projects in the state until all information on the power developers is acquired.
The memorandum submitted to the Governor today has alleged that during recent days the people especially those who are concerned about the welfare and betterment of the Sikkimese people are being targeted by anti-social elements sponsor by the ruling party. It further added that such practice creating unhealthy environment for social security and law and order in the peaceful border state.
The memorandum informs that on 03 February at Singtam bazaar two members of Common Platform were attacked and assaulted by a group of more than 10 persons without any reason thus creating a volatile situation in this border state.
“It is humbly stated that this kind of incident may create a spark to grave and serious public agitation and which may lead to a situation which may not be conducive for the proper functioning of a government or state machinery in this international border state of Sikkim,” states the memorandum.
The memorandum requests the Governor to take serious note of such developments and incidents in the larger interest of national security. It further requests that a report of the incident be submitted to the appropriate forum for necessary and effective action for the protection of constitutional rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India before it is too late.

Rumbuk resident allegedly attacked on Sunday eve

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: One KS Subba of Rumbuk in West Sikkim, a teacher by profession was allegedly attacked by Jeewan Subba of the same village on Sunday evening at around 7 PM. SDF dissident MLA, PS Golay along with his supporters met the victim at Sombarey PHC today.
A press release issued by former panchayat, Jacob Khaling informs that the victim was returning from a marriage party when Jeewan Subba attacked him with a sharp weapon on his head from behind and fled from the spot. The victim is undergoing medical treatment at Sombarey PHC.
The release alleges that the attacker has close affiliations with the area MLA and further states that the incident brings out ‘the real face’ of the ruling party.
According to the release, the people of Rumbuk and its surrounding areas have demanded the police to nab the culprit, who is on the run at the moment, at the earliest and take strict action against him. In response, Sombarey PS, OC and Soreng SDPO have assured the people that they would look into the case without any discrimination, the release mentions.
A case has been registered under 326 and 241 IPC against Jeewan Subba, the release adds.

SP East assures aggrieved Common Platform members of arrest of Singtam assault accused

GANGTOK, 05 Feb: Alleging assault on their members the All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed and Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA]  which is now also part of the Common Platform against Ting-Ting, Lethang and Tashiding Hydel Power Projects took their case to the SP East, MS Tuli on Saturday, 4 February. The SP East assured the complainants and aggrieved party that the accused would be arrested soon and justice meted out.
Two executives of ASESE&UA were allegedly manhandled by a group of SDF supporters at Singtam Bazaar on 4 February. The incident took place late in the evening at around 5 pm when the two members were on a pamphlet distribution spree in the bazaar area. There was some assault incident and the Singtam police had to intervene and a case has also been registered at the Singtam thana.
Speaking to media persons, SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi whose organization is also part of the Common Platform, mentioned that the SP has given them full assurance to provide justice and arrest the culprits. He further mentioned that the case is under investigation and law will now take its course. He stated that Sikkim is a border state and such incidents could create law and order problem in the state and would threat to the national security.
ASESE&UA president, Nawin Kiran mentioned that the association has full faith in the law and that justice would prevail. However, he also mentioned that should justice be found to be wanting then his Association would take appropriate action.
He alleged that the ruling party has rewarded them with an assault while they have been fighting for the people of Sikkim. He also stated that they could also retaliate but they did not as they having faith and  in the law of the  land.
Mr Kiran stated that the assault was just not an attack on two executive members of ASESE&UA but on every unemployed and self-employed youth.
Khagendra Dhakal and Mohan Rai, who were assaulted, informed that while they were distributing pamphlets informing about their Pratiwad Rally scheduled for 13 February at Geyzing Bazaar when a group of people arrived in a gypsy with SDF flag and then manhandled two of them. They also informed that they this group of people had been following them from Dikchu.

School students arrested for assault on Head Constable

NAMCHI, 16 Dec: In a disturbing case of assault, the very guardians of law came under attack in Namchi yesterday. What is worse, the perpetrators of the violence were school students, both of whom were taken into custody today.

3 booked for assault in Lachung

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: Three persons were arrested in Lachung on charges of assaulting and threatening the manager of a company engaged in works in North Sikkim. Norbu Lachungpa, Lanchey Lachungpa and Bhai Lachungpa have been accused of forced entry and threatening the Manager of MG Contractor Pvt Ltd at Dongeythang, Lachung in the wee hours of 27 November.