GANGTOK,: Opposition SDF on Friday lodged a complaint at Gangtok Sadar
police station requesting appropriate action against Rural Development minister
Sonam Lama for his alleged threatening remarks made during the 13th
Rholu Diwas programme.
In its
complaint, the SDF maintained that the SKM minister, during his speech,
threatened not to spare anyone who tries or voice against the party leader. In
fact, it is a case of criminal intimidation, submitted the opposition party to
Gangtok police.
“These
series of public threatening speeches and activities of the ruling party have
created threat and intended to create hatred, enmity, insecurity amongst the
people and may also provoke the people to turn the situation into violence
causing damages to public life and property. It also may create insecurity to
exercise the democratic rights and privileges of the people which are
guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” said the SDF in its complaint.
Later
speaking to media, SDF spokesperson Rikzing Norbu Dorjee Bhutia said: “The kind
of threats made by minister Sonam Lama during his Rholu Diwas speech to
opposition parties and general public creates an environment of fear. Sikkim
was known as the land of peace but now it has been replaced by fear and
violence where people are afraid to express their opinions.”
Rikzing
Norbu pointed out that the electioneering phase has arrived in Sikkim and all
political parties should work for a peaceful campaign and conduct of polls.
“The SDF wants a peaceful election period but they are brazenly issuing threats
to the opposition supporters as evident in the speech made by the minister at
Rholu. This has given possibilities of a violent election.”
The SDF spokesperson mentioned that there have been regular incidents of stone
pelting and physical assaults on SDF leaders and workers over the past four
years. Our party workers were beaten right inside their houses and outside this
Gangtok Sadar police station also but so far, police have taken no action
against the miscreants, he said.
“Our FIRs
are not accepted and our complaints are merely taken as GD (general diary) by
the police. After we come to power in 2024, we will take legal action based on
our GDs, approach the courts and secure punishment for the culprits,” said
Rikzing Norbu.
