PCS submits memorandum on attack to Governor, CM and DGP

GANGTOK, 28 Jan: Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) submitted memorandums on the attack on a local media house to Governor Shriniwas Patil, the Chief Minister’s Office, Director General of Police, Jasbir Singh and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) vice president KB Chamling today.
A PCS release informs that a three-member PCS delegation consisting of president Bhim Rawat, general secretary Joseph Lepcha and publicity secretary Chewan Krishna Dahal along with Sikkim Express editor Amit Patro and associate editor Bijoy Gurung submitted a memorandum to Governor Patil at Raj Bhavan.
In its representation, the PCS urged the Governor to direct the administration for swift and strict action against the accused person and to ensure stronger security and safe working environment for all media workers in Sikkim. The Governor was also briefed by the PCS delegation about previous attacks on media houses and journalists in Sikkim.
The release informs that the Governor directed Raj Bhavan secretary R. Telang to contact the Chief Secretary, R Ongmu on the grievances and concerns raised by the PCS. Such attacks on media should not be repeated and plainclothes police should be deployed in areas where the media houses are located, he said.
“What happened today should not have been happened. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure security of the media,” said the Governor during the 10-minute long interaction with the PCS delegation, it is informed.
The PCS delegation then submitted a similar representation to the Chief Minister’s office in Samman Bhavan detailing the attack on Sikkim Express. The PCS requested Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for strong action against the miscreant and to dispel fears among the journalists about their safety.
The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to “initiate strict action as per law”. A copy of the directive spelt out in the PCS memorandum was also dispatched to the PCS office here at DPH, the release mentions.
Executive committee members of PCS along with working journalists also marched up to the Sikkim Police headquarters to submit a memorandum to Director General of Police (DGP) Jasbir Singh. The DGP was reminded about a similar attack of November 2012 on Sikkim Now! Office and his assurances given then to the PCS that such incident would not be allowed to occur again.
Mr Singh told the PCS delegation that prompt action has been taken by the police on the incident. He assured that police will take strong legal approach on the case against the accused person. He further informed that police patrolling along the areas where media houses are located would be strengthened, the release adds.
A high-level meeting will be held with PCS on establishing a security mechanism for journalists during the upcoming elections, said the DGP.
The fourth memorandum on the incident was submitted to the SDF headquarters here at Indira Bypass. The representation was received by SDF vice president KB Chamling who assured that the party would probe the claims of the accused person of being an SDF member and if so, take strong action against him.

Siliguri Press Club [SPC] has strongly condemned the attack on Sikkim Express and Himali Bela office. SPC president, Pramod Giri has demanded that the state government take strong action to create an environment for independent journalism in Sikkim.

Accused not a party member, SDF clarifies, condemns attack on media
Sikkim Democratic Front has clarified that Phurba Sangay Sherpa, who attacked the office of Sikkim Express and Himali Bela on Tuesday is not a member of the party even though he claims to be one. SDF has asserted that it does not take any responsibility for the accused, who, the party states, has tried to defame its name and image.
An SDF press release issued by the publicity secretary, Chudamani Mishra states that it is possible that the Opposition used this person and instigated him into the act to defame the ruling party. SDF has further strongly criticized and condemned the incident.
The party has also demanded strong legal action against the accused in the attack on Sikkim Express and Himali Bela office and on journalists, Prakash Adhikari and Homnath Dawadi earlier on 22 January.
Meanwhile, it is informed that the party has expelled Sonam Tshering Lepcha of Sawreni under Namcheybong constituency from the party for indiscipline.

SKM condemns attack on media, blames SDF
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha [SKM] has criticized and strongly condemned the attack by a person who they are convinced is a member of the ruling party on Sikkim Express and Himali Bela office this morning. The party has alleged that the incident only adds to the long list of attacks on the Press during the 20-year SDF rule in Sikkim.
An SKM press release issued by its spokesperson, MN Dahal, alleges that the accused was a close friend of one of the Chief Minister’s sons in whose name the vehicle is also reportedly registered. With his son being involved in such an incident, the CM should step down as the Chief Minister on moral grounds, the SKM demands.
Stating that no judicial enquiry or action has been taken on attacks on the media in the past, SKM has argued that this proves the autocratic rule of the SDF government.
Passing off party workers as journalists and accusing SKM of attacking them is totally wrong, the release states further, while commenting an earlier incident when journalists belonging to Samay Dainik and Swarnabhoomi were recently attacked by alleged SKM workers in Temi.

SPA condemns
Sikkim Press Association [SPA] has strongly condemned the attack on Sikkim Express and Himali Bela office at Tadong this morning and demanded stringent action against the accused.
An SPA release informs that this was decided during an emergency meeting of the association chaired by the SPA president, Xavier Subba, today. The association has further demanded that the administration ensure the security of media persons in the state. The association highlights that this incident, so fresh on the heels of the attack on two journalists at Temi [in a clash between SKM and SDF], has offered more cause for concern for the security of journalists.

Golay condemns Vigilance raid on ASP

GANGTOK, 28 Jan: Dissident SDF MLA, PS Tamang [Golay], has strongly condemned the recent Vigilance raid on Sikkim Jail ASP, Kado Tshering Bhutia. The MLA has alleged that the raid was “an example of how the ruling party uses political pressure on innocent and honest officials of Sikkim”.
A press release issued by Mr Tamang alleges that the ruling government started harassing ASP Bhutia after “an incident that occurred on 15 May 2002” following which he was frequently transferred. The MLA has also stated that conducting a raid at night is an attack on the fundamental rights of a person. The first raid on the said officers residence was conducted on the night of 24 January. Condemning the raid he has said that such acts have been devised to “terrorize” government employees.
Mr Bhutia and some others have become victims of official investigation since the Rolu Picnic of 21 December 2009 and even after the completion of the whole investigation on 10 September 2012 the concerned department has still withheld the final report.
The release goes on to allege that the government is not allowing the CBI to enter the state to investigate the corruption allegations against the CM through different notifications, by setting up one-man commissions and by passing different bills in the assembly. On the same, Mr Tamang has demanded that the government allow CBI to carry out its investigation before initiating vigilance raids on its own government officials.

SDF condemns and denies hand in distribution of booklets

GANGTOK, 14 Jan: Sikkim Democratic Front spokesperson, Bhim Dahal has strongly condemned the circulation of anonymous pamphlets, booklets and CDs by anti-social elements with an intention to defame its leaders and office bearers.
In a press release issued recently, he mentions that it has been reported to the party that even a pilgrimage tour of their leader and his family members have been distorted to defame in a mudslinging propaganda by “so-called members of a party yet to be announced”.
He further states that one MN Dahal of Soreong, Daragaon, has issued a press release purportedly defaming one of the senior members of the SDF party. The release also condemns the vandalizing of Rhenock Police Station by elements inimical towards peace, harmony and development of the state.
“SDF party feels proud to declare that it needs no anonymous leaflets or booklets for its march towards victory and service of the people. It has its own policy declared in public by the leader through various media including official party organs, books and magazines to inform the public,” the release adds.

Change in social mindset imperative, notes State Commission for Women

GANGTOK, 06 Jan: Sikkim State Commission for Women has expressed deep anguish over the recent death of a woman and her newborn child at Namphey near Pakyong as she attempted a secret unassisted childbirth.
A press release issued by the Chairperson of the Commission, Subhadra Rai, states that “fear of the society” must have driven her to take such a drastic step. It may be mentioned here that a 25-year-old woman was found dead beside a kholcha in Pakyong sub division along with her new born infant on 01 January.
The incident, the release states, “reflects the social mind set against women and unless we the society as a whole bring about a change such cases will continue to occur”.
Despite the emphasis on the status of women in society, gender equality and empowerment of women from various quarters, the “deeply ingrained patriarchal system and dominating nature of men” is to be blamed for such incidents, the Commission notes.
Further stating that women need to raise their voice against such acts the release adds that education can bring about a change in the long run.

Sikkim Women’s Council condemns crimes against women

GANGTOK, 04 Jan: Sikkim Women’s Council has strongly condemned atrocities against women both within and outside the state.
A press release informs that the Council discussed various issues during its monthly meeting held on 02 January at its office at Pani House, Deorali. The Council has stated that such incidents of crime against women in the state would not be tolerated and strong laws should be enforced to prevent such heinous crimes from being committed in Sikkim in future.

BGP, SLF and ACT condemn attack on media house

GANGTOK, 09 Nov: Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Sikkim unit, has condemned the attack on Sikkim NOW! office on Wednesday as a “shameful act”.
A BGP release states that the “repeated attacks on the press fraternity is a sign of the unhealthy democratic atmosphere prevailing in the state”.
BGP Sikkim Unit has demanded absolute freedom of press and the state administration to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
Also condemning the attack, Sikkim Liberation Front [SLF] has stated that it is nothing but an attempt to create socio-political unrest in Sikkim. SLF convenor, Duk Nath Nepal has further stated in a press release that the precedence set by similar incidents in the past where the accused escaped scot-free has encouraged such attacks on media.
Affected Citizens of Teesta too has condemned the attack with its convenor, Tseten Lepcha, visiting the NOW! office today and conveying the organisation’s support towards the newspaper and registering the unanimous condemnation of the incident on behalf of the organisation.

Media fraternity condemns attack on NOW!

GANGTOK, 08 Nov: The media fraternity of the state and those from the neighbouring hills have strongly condemned the attack on NOW! office last night.
The Press Club of Sikkim, while urging the State government to ensure the safety of journalists and newspaper houses, has underlined that “attacking a newspaper office cannot be the way of expressing one’s electoral frustration”.
The Press Club has further urged the Sikkim Democratic Front leaders to take action against its members involved in the attack.
These demands have been supported by Indian Journalists’ Union, Journalist Club of Siliguri and Press Club of Kalimpong.
Meanwhile, the Sikkim Federation of Working Journalists (SFWJ) condemning the attack has stated that the failure of the administration to bring to book those elements responsible for attack on media houses in Sikkim in the past has emboldened such elements to continue violently venting their displeasure with media houses and journalists.
SFWJ has further appealed to all state governments in the Northeast, including Sikkim, to provide CCTV cameras to all media houses so that journalists and media houses in the region work in a safe and secure environments. SFWJ has also urged all journalists in the region to stay united and to speak up unitedly and effectively.
Sikkim Mahila Partrakar Sangh [SMPS] has also condemned the attack as an attempt to suppress the freedom of the press and demanded that the ruling party take strict action against its youth and Cheli Morcha members involved in this attack. Pointing out that the culprits have accepted their crime, SMPS has also demanded that the administration take strict action against them.
Journalists from West and South Sikkim have also demanded that those involved in the incident be expelled from the SDF party along with strict action be taken against the culprits as per the law. They have also demanded that the state administration ensure security for the press fraternity in the state.
Condemning last night’s incident as a “barbaric attack”, the Darjeeling Press Guild has stated that it is not just an attack on a particular publication but on the entire press fraternity.
Kalimpong Press Club [KPC] has stated that the attack on the press when the Chairman of the Press Council of India and journalists from across the country were in the state is a totally condemnable act. KPC has demanded that the administration take a more serious note of the safety of journalists in the state.
Similarly, Sikkim Press Association [SPA] also condemned the incident stating the act was cowardly and urged the administration to act strictly so that such incidents did not repeat in the future. The association welcomed the SDF party’s assurance to take strict action against those involved in the incident.

ASESEUA and Sikkim RTI Forum denounce attack

GANGTOK, 08 Nov: All Sikkim Educated Self Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] has termed last night’s attack on the NOW! office as yet another attack on democracy by the Sikkim Democratic Front. The Association has stated that this is not the first time that the state has witnessed such an incident and alleged that every time the state administration and police have acted in a dissatisfactory manner.
Following the ruling party’s victory in the recent elections, there has been a total break down of law and order in the state, the release alleges. ASESEUA has further demanded that the Governor and the Union Government to immediately dissolve the state government and invoke Governor's rule “for proper functioning of the state at this present juncture”.
Also condemning the attack, Sikkim RTI Forum has stated in a press release that, “On 06th November the Governor of Sikkim said ‘Media is the light of Democracy’ and on 07 November, Sikkim NOW's office was attacked. We speak of democracy and we attack the wheel on which the very democracy moves”.
The Forum has stated that the attack on NOW office is not an attack on the "Press" but an attack on democracy itself. It has further stated that in order to create a healthy and informed society, a strong media is a necessity and under no circumstances will an attack on media be tolerated.

Opposition condemns attack on media

GANGTOK, 08 Nov: Condemning the attack on the NOW! office, the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] has demanded that Pawan Chamling step down as the Chief Minister for what the party sees as his failure to maintain peace or uphold democracy in the state.
An SHRPP press release mentions that after the attack on Hamro Prajashakti and Himalayan Mirror five years ago, the repetition of such an act is most unfortunate. The party has alleged that as supporters of the ruling party have been arrested, SDF is to be held fully responsible for the incident and has demanded that those arrested not be released and strong action be taken against them.
With the attack on independent candidate, Geeta Sharma on 06 November and now this attack on a newspaper house, the SDF has no right to remain in power, the release expresses and demands that the Chief Minister step down on moral grounds.
Meanwhile, dissident SDF MLA, PS Tamang has also condemned the incident and alleged that the state government has always failed to initiate appropriate action on such attacks on the media in the state. Demanding stringent action against the culprits, Mr Tamang has further alleged that the series of attacks on the state’s media has exposed the ruling government and party’s inefficiency.
Also condemning the attack, Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee [SPCC] president, NB Bhandari has stated that the attitude and behavior of the members of the SDF party reflects what the party stands for. That appropriate legal action would be initiated against the culprits who belong to the ruling party is highly unlikely, Mr Bhandari has further commented.

PRESS CLUB OF SIKKIM CONDEMNS ATTACK ON SIKKIM NOW OFFICE

In a press release issued today, Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) has condemned the vandalism of Sikkim NOW! (a daily published from Gangtok) office by the supporters of Bibi Doma Tamang. It is reported that the supporters led by Mrs. Tamang attacked the office of the daily at around 11:15 PM on 07 November, 2012 and damaged signboards, doors and window panels etc. PCS has learnt that Mrs. Tamang, a candidate for Panchayat ward from Kabi Tingda constituency was defeated in the recent election. PCS states that attacking newspaper office cannot be the way of expressing one’s electoral frustration.
Therefore PCS urges the State Government to ensure safety of journalists and newspaper houses. PCS also urged the ruling party Sikkim Democratic Front leaders to take action against those members who were involved in the attack.
The demands are supported by the Indian Journalists’ Union, Journalist Club of Siliguri, Press Club of Kalimpong.

Sikkim Swatantra Nari Sangathan condemns attack on woman panchayat candidate

GANGTOK, 07 Nov: Sikkim Swatantra Nari Sangathan lashed out against the State administration today with regard to the assault on Geeta Sharma, an independent candidate who won the Martam Nazitam ward in the recently held panchayat elections.
Addressing a press meet today, member of the Sangathan, Kala Rai said, “On the one hand, the Chief Minister talks about 50% reservation for women and security for women in the state while on the other hand, a woman is beaten by an SDF candidate”.
Lashing out at the Women’s Commission, she said, “The Women’s Commission is supposed to work for the safety and protection of women in the state but why is it silent at this point of time?”
Further raising questions on the lack of action, Ms Rai stated that the Sangathan will raise its voice against such violence against women in the state and stage a dharna if needed.
Another member, Mingma Lamu Bhutia alleged that the police are not doing anything about the incident. She added that no SDF member has come to enquire about the victim’s condition till now.
“Does the 50% reservation for women also include getting attacked?”, she questioned.  She went on to state that the accused, Deepak Tamang should not have been released on bail by the police for such an act.

Expelled SDF dissidents condemn CM’s recent statement

GANGTOK, 24 June: The expelled group of ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has condemned and criticized the statement of the Chief Minister who is also the party president that a ‘vested interest’ group was defaming the party. 
Former SDF Minister, Tseten Lepcha, while speaking to reporters here today, demanded that the SDF party president resign from the party’s top post and allow one-man, one-post principle to operate in the party if he was true supporter of democratic practices. He further announced that their group is committed to overthrow the SDF Government in the next Assembly elections.
“Nowadays, SDF has become Pawan Chamling’s private company, indulging purely in business instead of governing the state of Sikkim,” alleged Pawan Gurung.
Another expelled SDF member, Nima Theeng, in turn added that circumstances and time had forced SDF’s Upper Burtuk MLA, Prem Singh Tamang, and his group to act against the ‘authoritarian rule’ of the Chief Minister.
When asked about the Upper Burtuk MLA’s reported decision to attend the Budget Session after having stayed away for more than two and a half years, Mr. Gurung said, “Let’s see what step he will take in the floor of the Assembly. It will speak volumes about what is in store for Sikkimese people, especially the next generation”.

Tashiding group condemns denial of permission to screen documentary on Bhum Chu at Tashiding

GANGTOK, 09 March: The Tashiding Bumchu Sunkyob Chogdu, in a press release issued by Pema Jyungne today, has condemned the West District Administration’s refusal to grant permission to “like-minded younger local people of Tashiding in connivance with Save Sikkim” to screen a documentary film on Bhumchu at Tashiding on the eve of the ceremony. Save Sikkim, it may be recalled is protesting the Tashiding hydel project.
The release, while thanking the organising committee for the successful hosting of the Bhum Chu ceremony, has lashed out against what it sees as denial of permission on “unwarranted grounds” by the West District administration.
“It is very unfortunate on the part of the West District Administration to have denied the devotees and participants their fundamental right to information and religion. We considered it as a disgraceful and shocking act of DC/West,” the release states.

SDF denounces news reports connecting it with vehicle torching incident

GANGTOK, 29 Feb: Sikkim Democratic Front has strongly condemned news reports published in some newspapers alleging the party of having a hand in the vehicle torching incident that occurred in Development Area a day ago.
An SDF press release issued by publicity secretary, Amber Rai states that the party works for people’s security and equality and condemns the act of connecting the party with such an incident by a few newspapers on the basis of their imagination.
The release demands immediate investigation into the incident and further adds that the party does not want such incidents to occur in future.

Sikkim Liberation Party condemns AVP statement

GANGTOK, 28 Feb: Sikkim Liberation Party has condemned “the unconstitutional and offensive statements made time and again” by different organizations including Bangla Bhasa Bachao Samiti and Adivasi Vikash Parishad (AVP) in a meeting held today, informs a press release issued by its convenor, Duk Nath Nepal.
The condemnation comes in the light of the statement as directed by AVP in the name of disapproving GTA through its letter to the high power committee, the release informs.
The meeting adopted the following resolutions: Those speaking out against the Nepalese community should know and understand that the entire Himalayan belt right from Burma (Myanmar) in the East to Sutlej in the West belonged to this community. Due to political frontiers and compulsion only, they are bound and governed under different political arrangements, but are culturally, linguistically and community-wise one at heart; The fate of a community is not defined and determined by the geography, but it is them who define the destiny of a geography/land. If the AVP and Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee thinks that the Nepalese residing in Indian soil are foreigners, than they have every right to define and determine their destiny and identity. Let us have a debate with the Govt. of India for this purpose we invite you all in this challenge.
The leaders of AVP and Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee should know that people of Sikkim had decided to merge an independent nation in to the Indian mainstream, which beholds that it is the people who decide the fate of land; The Nepalese community in itself is a complete arrangement and it does not require others assistance to defend its pride; Further it also must be understood that if some leaders are misguided, it must not be concluded that the entire geo-politics of the community has got directionless.
“The parties which claim to champion the cause of Indian Nepalese instead have misled and made directionless the politics of Indian Nepalese community and turned it to an issue of amassing wealth”, the release states.

BJP ‘ignorant’ and ‘ill-informed’ counters SDF

GANGTOK, 17 Jan: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has condemned the recent comments made by Bharatiya Janta Party’s Sikkim president, Padam Bahadur Chettri, on the Chief Minister ‘going missing’ [as reported in various local dailies today].
An SDF release issued by its general secretary [publicity], TN Sharma, criticizes the comments as ‘indecent’ and ‘undemocratic’. The release further contends that despite news-reports on the CM meeting the Prime Minister to discuss various important issues regarding the state having also come out [attesting to the fact that the CM was pursuing state-related tasks outside], these allegations show how ‘ignorant’ and ‘ill-informed’ the BJP president was.
The release in turn accused Mr Chettri of trying to instigate the public by making such baseless and unfounded allegations.

AAGSU condemns ‘vandalism’ by Excise officials at NE Food Festival in Guwahati

GANGTOK, 09 Jan: The All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) has condemned what it sees as “vandalism” that took place at the North East Ethnic Food Festival at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre in Guwahati.
In a press release issued yesterday, AAGSU contends that on 06 Jan, around 50 armed constables, enforcement inspector of excise, deputy superintendent, superintendent and two assistant inspectors arrived at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, Guwahati  around 7:30 PM and vandalised the stalls and manhandled women participants at the NE Ethnic Food festival without any prior information or notice.

NASSS sees Lindong dacoity as ‘total failure’ of State administration

GANGTOK, 06 Dec:  The Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan, Sikkim [NASSS] has condemned the Sunday night dacoity in the house of one Sonam Pinsto Bhutia, also known as Maila Mahajan of Simik Lingzey [Lingdong] as a “total failure of the State administration”, in a press release issued by the organization today.

SDF condemns attack on Sharad Pawar

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: The SDF party has condemned the attack on Union Minister for Agriculture and leader of the National Congress Party, Sharad Pawar.

SDF dismisses former MP’s statements as ‘unacceptable’

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: The ruling SDF party has condemned the statements of former SDF MP, Nakul Das Rai, who had alleged that people of the state are not happy with the present government, informs a press release issued by the SDF publicity secretary, Amber Rai.