Chakung tension boils over again

STONING OF PANCHAYAT PRESIDENT’S VEHICLE LEADS TO CHAKKA JAM; JIWAN GURUNG TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AGAIN
NAMCHI: The situation in Chakung turned tense today after a vehicle belonging Chakung panchayat president, Kiran Gurung, was vandalised this morning, evoking a strong response from his supporters who  effected a chakka-jam at Chakung demanding the arrest of the culprits. This situation held for around six hours and the situation normalised after the SDF youth convenor for Soreong-Chakung, Jeewan Gurung, named in the FIR as the prime accused, was taken into custody. The panchayat president, it may be informed here, was expelled from the SDF some time back and seen as belonging to the party dissidents now aligned with the disaffected SDF MLA, PS Tamang.
The situation in Chakung turned tense when a Taxi Mahindra Savari [SK-04-9012] belonging to the Panchayat President was stoned at around 9:30 a.m. Monday morning.

An FIR was lodged at Soreng Police Station and soon the people of Chakung poured out to the streets in protest against the attack, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and bringing all traffic passing through Chakung to a halt.
SP [West], Rajiv Ranjan, arrived at Chakung soon after accompanied by the Gyalshing SDPO Devendra Arya and met with the protesting group. Eventually, the chakka jam was lifted after six hours.
The SP later informed that one Jeewan Gurung of Chakung has been arrested following his being named in the FIR and the case registered under Section 427/ 448 of the Indian Penal Code at Soreng PS. The arrest was made in the evening.
The SP further informed that the situation was now under control and that life has returned to normal in Chakung. It may be mentioned here that this was the second time that the vehicle belonging to panchayat president has been vandalized in Chakung. The last time, his private vehicle was stoned, and now his taxi has been targeted. This is also the second time in recent months that Jiwan Gurung has been accused of resorting to violence in the area. He was also arrested in connection with a murderous assault on a Singling resident some time back.
Meanwhile, reliable sources inform that the history of violence in the area has convinced Sikkim Police to open an Out-Post at Chakung which is serviced at present by the police station at Soreong, a 10-minute drive away.
Meanwhile, former SDF Panchayat member from Chakung and presently supporting the PS Tamang faction, Jacob Khaling, through a press release, adds that apart from the arrest of Jiwan Gurung, the people are also demanding the arrest of the area MLA, Roads & Bridges Minister RB Subba, arguing that only such action would guarantee peace in Chakung Bazar and ensure protection for the people there.
He further informs that an FIR was filed at Soreong PS recently on 02 April accusing him of issuing threats on the life of Kiran Gurung.
He adds that the Chakung residents took out a protest rally from Chakung Bazar to Chakung School and have also resolved that if the police fails to secure justice, the people would take adequate steps for self defence on their own. [PURAN TAMANG]