SDF-SKM clash at Nagi in South Sikkim PURAN TAMANG

NAMCHI, 31 Mar: Namthang has emerged as the ground zero of sorts when it comes to political violence with the clashes having begun here a year ago and returning often to haunt the people and party workers. Pre-poll violence struck Namthang again today and apart from the routine of smashed windshields and upturned vehicles, the hostility included alleged violation of the modesty of a woman. Among the injured is a 65 year old lady owing allegiance to the SDF and SKM’s women’s wing convener of the constituency.
A clash between Sikkim Democratic Front and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha workers took place this afternoon at Nagi under Namthang Rateypani constituency. Four vehicles belonging to SKM were vandalised while one Gypsy belonging to SDF was set on fire in the incident it is informed. The SKM party president, PS Tamang [Golay], it may be recalled, has shifted his candidature to Namthang-Rateypani from Chakung-Soreong.
As per the information received, the clash occurred when the two parties were campaigning in the area and came across each other at Nagi. Heated discussion between the two groups ended in fisticuffs with some vehicles getting damaged and supporters injuries.
As learnt from SDPO Namchi, DSP Gegee Norbu, an FIR each has been lodged by both the parties at Namthang Police Out Post and the case is being investigated.
SDF youth leader, Arjun Rai, who was also there at Namthang today to interact with the party youth of the area, while talking to this correspondent alleged that SKM supporters attacked SDF party workers, burnt a Gypsy vehicle and injured a number of SDF cheli morcha workers. They stripped one of the ladies and dragged her by her hair, he alleged.
Two SDF workers are seriously injured and have been brought to Namchi district hospital for medical treatment. Among the injured are 65 year old Shanti Rai and her son.
“When the SDF youth reached the spot, the ladies in question were crying as they had been beaten up severely by SKM supporters. We cooperated with the police and instead of retaliating we lodged an FIR at Namthang against PS Tamang and group,” he added.
When contacted SKM leader, Bhoj Raj Rai, said that the party candidate from Namthang Rateypani, PS Tamang, was campaigning in the area with his supporters at Nagi when a few SDF supporters allegedly started raising anti-SKM slogans and blocked the way. “They vandalised the vehicles carrying SKM supporters and in self defence our youths also acted,” he said.
He ruled out the allegations that SKM triggered the violence and said that it was SDF party who started it.
An SKM press release released late this evening meanwhile contends that SDF party workers attacked SKM supporters on campaign in Namthang-Rateypani. The release claims that SDF panchayats, cheli morcha office bearers and youth attacked Mr. Tamang’s motorcade. The attackers targeted vehicles at the tail-end of the convoy, the release states, adding that the party’s women supporters were travelling in these vehicles.
The women’s wing convener of the SKM for Namthang-Rateypani, Kamala Timsina, sustained head injuries in the incident, the release adds.