JAC vice president Passang Sherpa resigns from IPL committee in protest against Singtam violence

Speaking to the media after the Singtam incident, Sherpa said he has resigned as a mark of protest against the attack on the JAC today (8 April)

In a major turn of events, Vice President of JAC and General Secretary of Sikkimey Nagarik Samaj, Passang Sherpa, has resigned from the Inner Line Permit committee constituted by the Home Department to oversee the applicability of ILP in Sikkim.

Speaking to the media after the Singtam incident, Sherpa said he has resigned as a mark of protest against the attack on the JAC today (8 April).

“In protest of the Singtam incident, I officially resign as a member of the ILP committee”, said Passang Sherpa.

The Sikkim government, in a notification released on February 4, 2023, announced the constitution of a new committee to oversee the applicability of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state of Sikkim, with the retired Secretary Shanta Pradhan as its chairman.

The issue of ILP escalated following the Supreme Court’s verdict on terming Sikkimese Nepalis as foreigners, posing a threat to Article 371F, which safeguards Sikkimese identity.

The Joint Action Council (JAC)’s rally in Singtam, Sikkim, was attacked by an unidentified man, and the general secretary of the JAC, Keshav Sapkota, was chased and brutally kicked, punched, and beaten up.

Ex-MLA and SDF leader Mechung Bhutia, who was part of the rally, was also injured in the attack.
Sapkota sustained severe injuries to his head and face and was seen bleeding profusely.

He was rushed to the district hospital in Singtam and is currently in ICU.

Section 144 has been clamped down to avoid any further flare-ups in the law and order situation.

Tenzing Loden Lepcha, SP Gangtok, informed that three individuals have been arrested who were involved in the assault of Keshav Sapkota.

“We are actively searching for others involved in the altercation”, said SP Gangtok.

Also Read: Sikkim violence: Bhaichung Bhutia starts sit-in protest in Singtam PS, calls for support to gherao PS

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