Only SDF at Singtam as well

By time the EVMs for Singtam Nagar Panchayat were opened for counting, even SDF supporters would have tired with the celebrations. And when the votes were counted, it was more of the same - clean sweep for SDF. This is how the numbers added up in Singtam>>>

Taran secures boxing bronze at national rural sports meet

SINGTAM, 07 Jan: Taran Pradhan from Bardang near here won a bronze medal in boxing [56 kg weight category] at the National Rural Sports Competition Group V held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from 27 to 30 December.
Taran has thanked Pritam Shilal, his boxing coach for his triumph. He further thanked the state government for providing him a platform and opportunity to showcase his skills. Taran was among the ten boxers from Sikkim selected to represent the State. Sikkim boxers went on to win three bronze medals in the competition. The other bronze medalists from Sikkim were Kalpana Subba from Mangshila and Mausam Rai from Namchi. There were six boys and four girls in the boxing team from Sikkim.

Unbridging in progress!

A visit to Singtam presents the rare treat of watching a bridge being dismantled. The suspension bridge spanning the Teesta [from Singtam to Aadarsh Gaon on the opposite bank], has been in the process of being dismantled for the past week. This has been made possible due to the new concrete bridge alongside. A walk along the new bridge provides one with a close up view of how a suspension bridge is taken apart. The suspension bridge was built in 1980 and extends an impressive 66 metres across the Teesta. [ANAND OBEROI]

Singtam accident claims one

GANGTOK, 10 Oct: A road mishap near Singtam this afternoon claimed one life and injured 11 persons.
The vehicle, a Tata Spacio [SK-04J-0380] was returning from Singtam to Temi in South Sikkim and had 12 occupants including the driver. The driver, Hari Tiwari [42], resident of Zero, Temi was killed in the accident, while the 11 other occupants sustained injuries. Of the 11 occupants one is a lady and all are residents of Temi. They were returning home after shopping for the upcoming Dasain festival.
The vehicle met with the accident at around 2.10 PM in the afternoon at a place known as Kali Khola on the way towards Temi. The vehicle fell around 400 feet off the road.
All the 11 injured were immediately rushed to Singtam District Hospital where they were provided with medical treatment. Of the 11 injured four were referred to Central Referral Hospital at Tadong for further treatment.

SADA booking in Singtam

GANGTOK, 14 May: Three persons were arrested by the Singtam police on 13 May after they were caught in possession of contraband substances. While two have been booked for possession, one has been charged with peddling, it is informed.
At around 10 a.m. the bazaar police patrol intercepted Raju Kumar Saha and Pema Tamang and brought them to the thana where a search led to the recovery of 122 loose capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon from them. They are further informed to have tattled on one Yona Subba of Lall Bazaar, Singtam, as the dealer, who was also rounded up. They have been booked under section 9 (b)/11/14 of SAD Act.

SKM to begin door-to-door outreach prog in Singtam-Khamdong on 10 May

GANGTOK, 08 May: A constituency-level meeting of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha was held at its Singtam party office for Singtam-Khamdong constituency, chaired senior citizen of the area, Sagarmal Agarwal, today.
The meeting, which had SKM secretary [organization], Pawan Gurung, as chief guest, passed three resolutions after discussion, an SKM press release informs.
The first resolution was to launch a village-to-village, house-to-house tour of the constituency from 10 May onwards to inform people of SKM policies and principles and to convey the party’s call for change in Sikkim. The meeting also resolved that all members of SKM in the constituency will mandatorily put up the party flag at their houses and that before visiting any village, the CEC will be briefed with complete details of the proposed programme.

Mobile phone trail leads Singtam police to gold cache

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: The arrest of a suspected mobile phone thief by the Singtam police led to the recovery of a small cache of gold jewelry and the solving of another burglary. When the Singtam police, acting on source information, searched the house of Jiwan Rai at Bardang, East Sikkim, they only expected to recover a mobile phone reportedly stolen from the house of Rajesh Pradhan of Lall Bazaar, Singtam.
The phone reportedly belonged to his son.
Not only was the mobile phone recovered, in course of the search the police recovered gold coins, gold earrings, gold nose ring, a green gemstone, a silver statue of Lord Ganesh, 2 pieces of moti, 2 laptops, 3 more mobile phones, an ipod, coins worth Rs. 1,065 and a cash amount of Rs. 6,400.
All the items were seized on suspicion of being stolen goods. Soon enough this was proved right when information came in that the same had been stolen from a house in Baghey Khola, Rangpo. A couple of days ago the Rangpo police had received a complaint from Dhan Bahadur Subba of Baghey khola wherein he had stated that the above mentioned items had been stolen from his house along with cash amount of Rs. 18,200.
The Singtam police have arrested Jiwan Rai, 23 and his suspected accomplice, Debabrata Roy, 20 of North Dinajpur, West Bengal.

Dowry death suspected in Singtam

GANGTOK, 27 Sept: The Singtam police has charged one person on grounds of dowry related death. Pradeep Kumar Gupta of Gangtok has been booked under section 304 ‘B’ of the IPC which accuses him of having led his deceased wife to commit suicide. The wife had been found at the Rani Khola below Mangthang and a case of unnatural death had been registered at that time. A magisterial inquiry was conducted as the death had occurred within 7 years of marriage, an incident, which given the high number of dowry deaths in our country, automatically attracts a magisterial inquiry.
Following investigation into the case, the police uncovered that there had been numerous demands for money by the husband made to his in-laws. The deceased was originally from Biratnagar, Nepal and had married the accused in 2008. However, differences appeared in the marriage with the husband reportedly demanding dowry. Some of his demands had also been met, it is informed. However the frequent demands from the husband and the subsequent mental harassment had led to the death of the wife, the police investigation concluded.
Section 304 B states “Where the death of a woman is caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven years of her marriage and it is shown that soon before her death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband for, or in connection with, any demand for dowry, such death shall be called "dowry death", and such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death.” The punishment, for the guilty, is imprisonment for not less than 7 years.

Singtam police continues crackdown on drugs with 2 more arrests

GANGTOK, 26 July: Singtam Police has arrested another two drug peddlers on charges of possessing contraband substances; they were nabbed on the 31A National Highway at Singtam on 25 July.
Acting upon a tip off the Singtam Police intercepted a car bearing a West Bengal registration number at 31A NH below the Singtam District Hospital on 25 July at around 12 noon. During the search, 15 bottles of a cough syrup were recovered which were accordingly seized by the police. It is informed that the duo had bought this contraband substance from Rangpo in West Bengal and was on their way to sell the same to prospective buyers at Singtam.

TEESTA SURGES

With heavy rains reported along the valley and as the Teesta Stage V dam at Dikchu opened the sluice gates for another round of flushing the reservoir [of silt] on Sunday, the Teesta flowed thick and fast downstream, surging as it reached Singtam washing away a makeshift toilet and inundated the meat stalls along the left bank with water and slush. The increase in water level can be seen here as it now kisses the ground floors of most buildings along the river bank [on the right bank]. It was neither possible, nor safe for the meat stall to be kept in operation and the stall shifted to the embankment, operating out in the open. [from NANDU DUTRAJ]

NIT Sikkim organizes an evening with the Mohan Veena

BALUTAR, 20 May: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Sikkim, organized a Spic-Macay Programme here at NHPC Auditorium hall at Balutar, Singtam, on 18 May. Padma Shree and Grammy Award winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt presented an Indian classical musical performance on the ‘Mohan Veena’ – created by Mr Bhatt that combines features of the sitar and the guitar.
Prior to his performance, Mr. Bhatt speaking on the significance of Indian culture, underlined that society and culture were interrelated. “This music has the power to transform you into a better human being,” he remarked, highlighting the spiritual aspect of the Mohan Veena.
This special evening of music had AK Choudhary (Chief Engineer, NHPC) as the chief guest, who, in his address, said, “It is our privilege and honor to have Panditji amongst us and perform for us”. He also thanked NIT for organizing such a programme.
The chief guest also distributed prizes to the participants of the quiz and sports competitions which were held earlier.
Later while speaking to NOW! Director NIT Sikkim, AB Sammaddar said that the Institute not only seeks to provide education but also play a role in community development. Expressing his gratitude to the Government of Sikkim for extending support he further informed that the NIT will also establish its centre at Khamdong in the coming days where 300 acres of land has already been acquired.
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt attracted international attention with his successful indianisation of the western Hawaiian guitar with perfect assimilation of sitar, sarod and veena techniques, giving it an evolutionary design and shape. By adding 14 more strings he created the Mohan Veena. With blinding speed and faultless legato, Bhatt is undoubtedly one of the most expressive, versatile and greatest slide players in the world.
Vishwa Mohan has performed extensively in the USA, USSR, Canada, the Great Britain, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland, Switzerland, Denmark, the Gulf of Dubai, Al-Sharjah, Bahrain, Muscat, Abu Dhabi etc. and throughout India.

Speeding vehicle loses control near Singtam, injures 5

GANGTOK, 23 April: Five people [including a nine-month-old child] along with the driver were injured in a road accident near Singtam on Sunday afternoon.
According to a written FIR lodged by Prem Lall Sharma [20], son of Abichandra Sharma, a resident of Temi Tarku in South Sikkim, on 22 April at around 1.45 PM the complainant alongwith three of his relatives were returning to Temi Tarku from Gangtok in an Alto Taxi [SK/04/T/0089] driven by Anju Sherpa [21] of Chuba Perbing, South Sikkim.
After crossing Gaidhara, the vehicle that was being driven at high speed suddenly came into the course of an approaching motorcycle on a bend. The driver lost control [due to over speeding, as per the complaint] and the vehicle skidded off the road and fell approximately 300 feet down into the jungle.
All five occupants, Bal Kumari Basnett [28] from Namchi, Savitri Basnett [22] from Temi Tarku, Samshriti Chettri [9 months old], along with the complainant and the driver were immediately taken to the Singtam District Hospital. The victims Bal Kumari Basnett and Savitri Basnett were then referred to the Central Referral Hospital at Tadong, while the others were discharged after being given first aid.
The alleged driver was arrested by the Singtam police and later released on bail. A case under section 279/337 [rash driving or riding on a public way and causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others] of the Indian Penal Code was registered against him at the Singtam Police Station. The case is under investigation.

Truckers form JAC to pursue 10-wheeler ban demand

SINGTAM, 03 April: A Joint Action Committee of Truck Owners and Drivers was constituted during a joint meeting of Truck Owners Association and Truck Drivers Association at the Marwari Dharmasala here on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Robin Lepcha of Singtam.
The JAC has Dhanraj Philemon as president, Madan Chettri, Nain Kumar Pradhan, Krishna Chettri and Uttam Rai as vice-presidents, Shyam Kumar and JB Chettri as general secretary, Krishna Chettri as office secretary and DK Rai as treasurer. The committee has also appointed Santosh Agarwal as the chief advisor and 30 other members.
The meeting has decided that the tenure of the committee will be for 3 years. The meeting has further decided that the newly formed committee has to start working on issues mandated to it immediately. One of its main tasks will be to pursue a ban on entry of 10-wheeler trucks on Sikkim roads since these larger vehicles were taking away the livelihoods of local truckers. [from NANDU DUTRAJ]

One killed, 5 injured in Dochum road mishap

GANGTOK, 28 Mar: One labourer was killed and five others grievously injured when a ‘utility’ vehicle ferrying them and a consignment of LS Cables for Power Grid Corporation lost traction and skidded back from a steep incline near Dochum on the way to Sang from Singtam last evening at around 6 p.m. Apart from the driver, who was arrested and later released on bail, there were ten labourers on board the vehicle at the time of the mishap. Four of them sustained minor injuries.
As per police records, all the labourers were from Jharkhand. 45 year old Bhola Yadav from Giridhi [Jharkhand] succumbed to his injuries, while five others - Ram Pukar Matho [35], Prem Chand Matho [35], Subad Kumar Matho [18], Mahabir Matho and Gandhi Matho [21], sustained grievous injuries and have been referred to the Central Referral Hospital at Tadong for treatment.
Four occupants: Bikhan Thori [25], Jaganath Thori [36], Dinesh Thori [38] and Daneshwar Yadav [32] sustained simple injuries and were released after first aid.
The vehicle, WB73A-7449, was being driven by Am Bahadur Chettri [26], a resident of Bijanbari, Darjeeling in West Bengal, and as mentioned, was ferrying the LS Cables and the labourers to Sang. It is learnt that while negotiating a steep incline, the vehicle skidded back out of control and fell around 30 feet off the road.
A driver was taken into custody and booked under sections 279/ 337/ 304 ‘A’ [rash driving or riding on a public way, causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others and causing death by negligence] of the Indian Penal Code and later released on bail.

Theft charges land 2 behind bars

GANGTOK, 19 March: The Singtam police has made two arrests in connection with a case of theft. The two arrested are Juna Limboo, 21 of Subba Gaon, Assam Lingzey and Arjun Suner, 23 of Swastik Burtuk. From them, the police have also reportedly recovered gold ornaments weighing 10 tolas and a cash amount of Rs. 19,000.

Yuva Kriti Mela begins in Singtam

GANGTOK, 18 March: A three-day long state-level Yuwa Kriti Mela was inaugurated by Khamdong-Singtam MLA, Am Prasad Sharma, at Singtam Mandi Bazaar today. The event, organized by Nehru Yuwa Kendra-Gangtok, is an exhibition of items prepared by various non-governmental organizations from across the state.
On the occasion, Sonam Bhutia of Tadong and Shyamkala Dahal of Luing were awarded with State awards by the NYK Gangtok. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15,000 each and Letters of Appreciation.  The inaugural day also included folk song and dance competitions. [NANDU DUTRAJ]

SHRPP convenes jan sampark in Singtam

GANGTOK, 18 March: The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] convened a public meeting under its “Jansampark Abhiyan” at Singtam Bazaar on 16 March, a party press release informs.
Addressing the meeting, the SHRPP president, Dr AD Subba, announced that his party would provide an alternative for the ruling party in Sikkim and launched into a string of allegations suggesting that the earthquake affected have not been adequately attended to by the State Government. His party would now investigate into how the earthquake relief funds are being utilized, he announced.
Party vice-president, former Deputy CM, PT Lucksom, in turn alleged partiality in the distribution of the earthquake relief. The meeting was also addressed by the SHRPP general secretary, Tara Shrestha, and other members.

36-year-old commits suicide

GANGTOK, 14 Mar: A case of Unnatural Death [UD] has been registered at the Singtam Police Station after a 36-year-old man committed suicide by hanging on 13 March.
According to telephonic information received from Sheluk Bhutia, resident of Namgaythang in East Sikkim, the deceased was an alcoholic and unemployed.
On 13 March at around 8 AM the deceased went out of his house as usual. Later at around 4.30 PM the complainant found him hanging by the ceiling beam of the cow shed, which is approximately 50 feet below his house.
The autopsy of the body was conducted today and no foul play was detected.

Singtam public rues over disrupted power supply

GANGTOK, 23 Feb: The people of Shantinagar in Singtam have expressed their dissatisfaction over the irregular power supply for the past 6 months.  Power supply in the area is disrupted every 20 to 25 minutes which is posing a problem for students preparing for their upcoming examination, complained the public. The people have also expressed that even after making several complaints to the Power Department the problem remains.
Power officials clarified that the transformer and LT lines in Singtam, set up around 20 years ago according to the requirements of the time, have become old and get heated up resulting in disrupted supply at short intervals. The Power Office at Topa has already processed the file for the same to the head office at Gangtok, officials informed.
It is learnt that as per the present population of Shantinagar, an additional 150 KB sub-station is required and 11 KB line in 400 meters is needed for regular power supply. [from NANDU DUTRAJ]

SP East assures aggrieved Common Platform members of arrest of Singtam assault accused

GANGTOK, 05 Feb: Alleging assault on their members the All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed and Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA]  which is now also part of the Common Platform against Ting-Ting, Lethang and Tashiding Hydel Power Projects took their case to the SP East, MS Tuli on Saturday, 4 February. The SP East assured the complainants and aggrieved party that the accused would be arrested soon and justice meted out.
Two executives of ASESE&UA were allegedly manhandled by a group of SDF supporters at Singtam Bazaar on 4 February. The incident took place late in the evening at around 5 pm when the two members were on a pamphlet distribution spree in the bazaar area. There was some assault incident and the Singtam police had to intervene and a case has also been registered at the Singtam thana.
Speaking to media persons, SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi whose organization is also part of the Common Platform, mentioned that the SP has given them full assurance to provide justice and arrest the culprits. He further mentioned that the case is under investigation and law will now take its course. He stated that Sikkim is a border state and such incidents could create law and order problem in the state and would threat to the national security.
ASESE&UA president, Nawin Kiran mentioned that the association has full faith in the law and that justice would prevail. However, he also mentioned that should justice be found to be wanting then his Association would take appropriate action.
He alleged that the ruling party has rewarded them with an assault while they have been fighting for the people of Sikkim. He also stated that they could also retaliate but they did not as they having faith and  in the law of the  land.
Mr Kiran stated that the assault was just not an attack on two executive members of ASESE&UA but on every unemployed and self-employed youth.
Khagendra Dhakal and Mohan Rai, who were assaulted, informed that while they were distributing pamphlets informing about their Pratiwad Rally scheduled for 13 February at Geyzing Bazaar when a group of people arrived in a gypsy with SDF flag and then manhandled two of them. They also informed that they this group of people had been following them from Dikchu.