Prayers for earthquake victims to mark Rolu Picnic anniv

PERMISSIONS BEING PROCESSED
NAMCHI, 19 Dec: Organisers of the Rolu Picnic of 2009, the gathering which officially announced Upper Burtuk MLA, PS Tamang’s dissidence with the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, plan to mark the anniversary of the picnic on 21 Dec with a Viswa Shanti Puja in the memory of lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and to propitiate the Gods to prevent a repeat. A member of the organising committee, Milan Rai, when contacted, mentioned that they had informed the SP [South] about their plans to hold the prayers.

The SP has marked some conditions for the permission, seeking details of the number of people expected, number of vehicles and an NOC from the landlord. Mr. Rai stated that they were expected about 5,000 people, arriving in around 500 vehicles, to attend the Rolu prayers.
These details, along with the NOC from the landlord will be submitted to SP on Tuesday to secure the required permission, he said. He also informed that there will be no speeches at the programme which will be conducted by 5 Purohits.
He stated that the Government has also cancelled various tourism and sports-related celebrations in the wake of the earthquake, and following in the same vein, the Rolu Picnic anniversary was also being marked with special prayers instead this year.
The SP [South], Manoj Tiwari, when contacted, confirmed that he has been informed about the plans for 21 December through a letter today, but mentioned that this letter did not carry either the applicant’s name or address.
The SP further said that he has asked them to submit the details of the programme, only after which could he decide on the matter. “They are free to conduct prayers but this should not disturb communal or religious harmony,” he said.
He added that the Rolu Mandir was near the picnic spot [where the prayers are planned] and pointed out that daily prayers are held at this temple which should not be disturbed.
It is also the duty of the Police to ensure free flow of traffic on the highway alongside, he added.
When contacted, the DC [South], AK Singh, informed that no one has approached his office for permission thus far and added that the organisers, when they apply for permission will also need to include an NOC from the Forest Department if the private land was adjoined to forest land.