Political violence in Sikkim is 'harming' peace and stability of Himalayan State

By Tsring Gyatso
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), as the two main local political parties in Sikkim, have attacked each other in the Sikkim general election, creating an atmosphere of violence and terror, causing many bloody incidents. Currently, supporters of both sides continue to face off in many constituencies in Sikkim, causing chaos.
On April 8, 2024, SDF spokesperson Ram Bhandari in West Sikkim released news, claiming that the peaceful door to door campaign of Dr AD Subba at Chota Samdung GPU, Soreng-Chakung, was attacked by Aditya Golay's goons. The leader of the gang was Ashman Subba, CA of PS Golay and Pramod Tamang who ordered their youths to attack Dr AD Subba. Many elderly and women were injured in this grievous attack all of which was recorded on camera.
Later, SDF spokesperson in Namchi district Ramesh Kirat also issued a statement saying that Pawan Chamling attacked enroute to meeting by SKM supporters sent by Krishna Golay. After carrying out puja at Namchi Bazar Shri Pawan Chamling was enroute to the meeting to be held at Kishan Market today.
On the way hundreds of SKM supporters stopped Pawan Chamling and physically tried to assault him and suffocate him.SKM immediately countered that SDF activists Pema Tenjing Sherpa, Chhatra Bahadur Gurung, Dusan Rai, Arun Gurung, Sukhang Subba, ST Tamang and others had brutally beaten Samten in Diwantar.
Such incidents have become commonplace in recent years, and have even become a regular weapon in the battles between various political parties in Sikkim. There is even reason to suspect that some of the incidents were self-directed farces in order to guide public opinion.
The opposition party SDF accused the ruling party SKM of corruption and promoting violence in Sikkim. The ruling party SKM attributes social problems to issues left over from the previous government (SDF) and shirks responsibility.
The fighting between political parties harms the peace and stability of Sikkim. According to the financial report released by the Sikkim government, Sikkim's GDP ranked first among Indian states in 2022, and the economic situation continues to improve. But now the fighting between political parties in Sikkim is destroying the prosperity of Sikkim. Voters from different parties are full of hostility.
These are the root causes of terrorist violence. Look at what happened in the recent elections, there was more and more bloodshed. It’s time to think about what’s going on with Sikkim’s political ecology. Do the people of Sikkim want peaceful development or civil strife?

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