Attack on ex-Sikkim CM car: Cops say won’t compromise on security

Gangtok: Sikkim Police spokesperson and DIG Range Sonam Tenzing Bhutia on Saturday said that the police will never compromise on safety and security. He was addressing the media regarding the violence that took place at Poklok-Kamrang in South Sikkim in which former Sikkim CM Pawan Kumar Chamling’s daughter Komal and other party members sustained injuries when ruling ‘Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) workers’ allegedly pelt stones at their cars on Thursday.

“Seven persons have been already arrested and the case is under investigation,” Bhutia said.

“Police personnel were deployed during the by-election campaign and everything was monitored from a distance. Police have been doing the duty thoroughly and with full devotion and dedication,” he stressed.

“The police were informed only about a case that occurred in the day to which the police reacted spontaneously. However, the stone-pelting incident was not reported and the information flashed out on social media. We asked the SDF to come and file a complaint but no one turned up, after which we filed a suo motu case at Jorethang police station,” said Bhutia.

Bhutia further said that as per SDF’s press briefing, more than 10 vehicles were damaged. However, according to police records, only three were damaged partially. “The complainants did not want to surrender these vehicles, so the police agreed and released them by taking pictures of them,” he said.

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Meanwhile, on the security scenario, especially in the run-up to the by-elections on October 21, Bhutia said that Sikkim Police has deployed one company of SSB and two platoons of SAP and IRBn. Flag marches, nakabandis and foot patrolling have been intensified to ensure safety and security as well as free and fair elections, he added.

Meanwhile, SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling has refuted the allegations of SDF. “We support non-violence and peace. This is SDF’s propaganda. We are not involved in this incident; in fact, there is no need for us to do violence after forming the government,” he said.