Another 15 accused in Rhenock incident surrender to police and make bail

GANGTOK, 18 Jan: Following the release of 13 accused in the Rhenock rioting case on bail yesterday, another group of 15, also allegedly involved in the incident, surrendered to the police at Rhenock Police Station last night and were released on bail today.
The 15 accused had been absconding since the incident in Rhenock on 11 January. Those who surrendered at the Rhenock police station were former Minister Phuchung Bhutia, former Police Inspector Sonam Lachungpa, Neema Theengh, Basu Dev Adhikari, Kala Rai, Bishnu Khatiwara, Nandu Raj Pradhan, Shakti Prasad Adhikari, Dawa Tamang, Mohan Labar, Sabin Subba, DB Chettri, Nirpat Gurung and Santosh Kumar Pradhan. Like the 13 before them, they have also been booked under section 147/148/148/353/427/120 (B) R/w. Section 3 of PDPP Act 1984.
First Class Judicial Magistrate here at Gangtok today released the 15 accused against a surety bond of Rs 35,000 each.

Golay supporters make bail in Rhenock incident

GANGTOK, 17 Jan: Thirteen persons arrested on charges of being involved in the vandalizing of the Rhenock Police Station on 11 January were released on bail today.
Judicial Magistrate [East & North], Suraj Chettri, granted bail to the 13 accused after hearing the bail application moved by a team of lawyers headed by Bandan Rai while the public prosecutor Chandra Shekar Ghimerey opposed the bail.
After hearing both the parties at length, the Judicial Magistrate reserved the order and passed the order later in the afternoon releasing all the accused on surety bond bail of Rs.35,000 each.
The Judicial Magistrate has directed all the accused persons to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the case and not to leave the state without the permission of the court and the IO.
All the 13 arrested: Bishal Tamang, 29; Ajay Rai, 23; Jitu Gurung, 26; Mahendra Subba, 30; Bikash Limboo, 30; JB Basnett, 47; KN Sharma, 23; Laxmi Niroula, 38; YT Lepcha, 45; Bikash Limboo, 18; KT Bhutia, 45; Sandeep Gurung, 21 and K Manger, 26 were released from the State Jail at Rongyek, this evening. All are supporters of the dissident SDF MLA, PS Tamang [Golay], and were picked up after the group demanding the arrest of former MLA KB Chamling [in connection with the seizure of literature deemed defamatory to Mr. Tamang] went berserk at Rhenock last week and vandalized the Rhenock Police Station and damaged an impounded vehicle there.
A group of Golay supporters were outside the Rongyek Jail to receive the 13 with khadas.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Judicial Magistrate had also released Janak Chettri, Mr. KB Chamling’s driver in whose vehicle 228 defamatory booklets had been found. Also today, the Judicial Magistrate also cleared the release of the vehicle seized in connection with the episode of vandalism.
Meanwhile, several others named in the FIR for their alleged involvement in the Rhenock incident are still absconding. Among the accused named in the FIR at the Rhenock police station but still to be arrested are Neema Theeng, MK Subba, Sonam Lachungpa, Phuchung Bhutia, DB Chettri, V Khatiwara, NR Pradhan, Santosh Pradhan, Pravin Subba, Dawa Tamang and KT Adhikari.

Bail hearing for 13 arrested in Rhenock rioting set for 17 Jan

ALTO INVOLVED IN RIOTING INCIDENT SEIZED; ANOTHER 14 ACCUSED STILL ABSCONDING
GANGTOK, 15 Jan: The bail hearing for the 13 accused in the rioting and ransacking of the Rhenock police station on 11 January has been set for 17 January. Supporters of dissident SDF MLA, PS Tamang [Golay], along with their legal counsel had arrived at the District & Sessions court, Gangtok, this morning to seek bail for the accused persons presently in judicial custody.
It is informed that the bail application was submitted today at the court and the hearing set for 17 January.
Meanwhile there have been no more arrests but the police on 14 January seized a private Alto vehicle from Rangpo which, according to them, was involved in the Rhenock incident. The driver, however, claims that he was not involved and that the vehicle was being used by someone else.
It is informed that the police, quite obviously, are objecting to the bail application and are seeking the surrender of all the accused persons involved in the rioting which took place at Rhenock bazaar on 11 January. In the same vein Golay supporters contend that it is the job of the police to arrest accused persons and that application for bail is a different matter. On the other hand Janak Chettri, the driver of KB Chamling in whose vehicle the police found the 228 supposedly defamatory booklets has been released on bail.
It is now learnt that among the accused who have been named in the FIR at the Rhenock police station are also Neema Theeng and MK Subba. In fact there are close to 30 people named in the FIR and among them are Sonam Lachungpa, Phuchung Bhutia, DB Chettri, V Khatiwara, NR Pradhan, Santosh Pradhan, Pravin Subba, Dawa Tamang and KT Adhikari.
As per the SP East, Dr. MS Tuli, all these accused are presently absconding; the police have been searching for them but they are not available in their respective residences.
Apart from sections of the Indian Penal Code covering rioting having been imposed against them along with damage to public property etc they also stand accused of criminal conspiracy. The police has been on the lookout for them for the past few days; in the process nakabandhi has also been done in Ranipool and other places by the police with the help of IRB personnel in their search of what they call ‘anti social’ elements.
In the meantime the 13 arrested so far for rioting are still at the State Jail at Rongeyk and among them are Bishal Tamang, 29; Ajay Rai, 23; Jitu Gurung, 26; Mahendra Subba, 30; Bikash Limboo, 30; JB Basnett, 47; KN Sharma, 23; Laxmi Niroula, 38; YT Lepcha, 45; Bikash Limboo, 18; KT Bhutia, 45; Sandeep Gurung, 21 and K Manger, 26.

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.

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.

Miscreants make away with 64kgs of Large Cardamom

GANGTOK, 23 March: SIMFED’s Ginger processing unit at Nayabazar was vandalized on the night of 15 March by some unknown persons. A complaint has been filed at the Nayabazar police station by Deputy Manager, SIMFED, Kailash Roy. As per reports, the shutter at the processing unit located in Birdang was forced open and 64 kgs of large cardamom stocked inside stolen. No one has been arrested so far and the case is under investigation.

Vehicle torched at Development Area

GANGTOK, 28 Feb: Miscreants attempted to set a private vehicle on fire here at Development Area last night. The Mahindra Scorpio bearing registration number SK-02/4334 belonging to Pema Dadul Bhutia was parked outside his house when some unknown persons  set the vehicle ablaze at around 1 AM, it is informed.
It is informed that Mr Bhutia’s wife, Tshering Sherpa heard some noise and saw smoke spreading outside her house. She rushed outside and seeing the vehicle on fire, tried to beat down the flames with a broom. Luckily, the fire was brought under control but not before the left front tyre, bumper and left portion of the vehicle were destroyed.
Ms Sherpa informed the Sadar Police this morning at around 8 AM and a police team rushed to the spot. The Sadar Police have registered the case under section 448 and 435 of IPC against unknown persons and the case is under investigation.

Miscreants attempt to steal from ATM

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: Some miscreants have vandalized the ATM belonging to the State Bank of India located at 5 Mile, Tadong near the Central Referral Hospital. The vandalism aimed at stealing money from the ATM however did not cause much loss to the bank as the miscreants could not extract any money. The outer cover of the cash vault was found broken and was noticed by SBI officials who went to refill  the machine on the morning of 4 February. The vandalism is informed to have taken place at the night of 3 February. No one has been arrested so far and the Sadar police is investigating into the incident.

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.

Three utility vehicles vandalised

VANDALISM ON THE RISE IN JORETHANG BAZAAR
JORETHANG, 16 Oct: Three utility vehicles belonging to some businessmen of Jorethang were vandalized by some unknown persons on Saturday night near the Jorethang Bazar Shopping Complex-cum-UD&HD office.