Sikkim students take out rally, seek justice for ‘rape’ victim

Gangtok: Students from across Gangtok on Wednesday conducted a peace rally at the capital city seeking speedy justice into the alleged rape and murder case of a minor girl hailing from Pakyong sub-division in the state’s East Sikkim district reported on Monday.

A large number of students from different colleges and educational institutes of the state joined the mass peace rally that was carried out on the streets of Gangtok. Besides seeking justice for the victim, the student’s fraternity also demanded a swift investigation and a proper forensic arrangement to stop any further delay in the inquiry process of the heinous crime.

The students also informed that they will be submitting a memorandum to the chief minister, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of East Sikkim district, seeking speedy justice to the victim’s family. The protesters also informed that they will provide the district and state administration with a seven days’ time to resolve the case and if they fail in doing so, they will come together in big numbers and will decide on the future course of action.

The students carried out the mass peace rally from Gantok’s central location MG Marg and went up to the DC’s office in East Sikkim district at Sichey locality via the Paljor Stadium. The students also conducted a signature campaign after the peace rally.

Sikkim police administration is putting in all efforts to solve the recent rape and murder incident and a high-powered police committee has also been formed to trigger up a speedy investigation.

Interestingly, the rape and murder case was earlier registered as a case of unnatural death at Pakyong police station on November 8. But immediately after the post-mortem report of the victim was conducted, it took a major turn and the police registered a new case under criminal conduct of Sections 376/302/201 of the Indian Penal Code on November 11, and further stated that the case is under investigation.

Significantly the crime went viral on various social media platforms and the public started accusing the state police administration of a delay in providing justice.