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 Sikkim was known as the land of peace but now it has been replaced by fear and violence where people are afraid to express their opinions.”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.