Golay holds meeting at Aho; tension brews as SDF and Golay supporters exchange slogans

GANGTOK, 07 Dec: Prem Singh Tamang [Goley], the dissident SDF MLA from Upper Burtuk constituency, began a tour of East Sikkim today with an indoor meeting at a private residence at Aho, under Ranipool police station jurisdiction, for which, it is informed, around 200 people, a sizeable number of whom, it is learnt, were from other parts of Sikkim, had gathered.

However, tension began to brew when a group of SDF youth were about to make their way to the particular location where the indoor meeting was taking place. With the dissident MLA accompanied by a big group as well, Ranipool police, recognizing the probability of a law and order situation erupting, is informed to have stopped the SDF supporters from proceeding further to the venue of the meeting.
Later, however, there was much slogan shouting from both sides when the indoor meeting drew to a close. While half Mr. Tamang’s supporters made their way towards south district, a group of 8 to 10 vehicles made their way up to Gangtok from Ranipool shouting slogans in support of the MLA and denouncing the SDF dispensation.
The dissident MLA, against whom a Vigilance case is pending in the lower courts, is informed to have received a warm welcome from the people of Namcheybong constituency, informs Jacob Khaling in a press release.
The meeting was held largely to discuss the present political situation in the state and what Mr. Tamang’s supporters see as the degradation in political discourse and standards, the release informs.
People at the meeting are informed to have put forward grievances, including that of increasing unemployment, destruction of natural resources and the eroding of security. Mr. Khaling informs that the MLA was urged by the gathering to enter active politics in this regard.  
The release adds that the SDF also convened a meeting nearby thereby raising tensions.
Mr. Tamang’s supporters, the release adds, have expressed their gratitude towards the police present in the area, for “being unbiased in their job”.