Justice for Padam Gurung: Rally in Namchi turns violent; Section 144 imposed

Protestors warned that if the probe is not handed over to the CBI, then there will be agitation across the state

Situation turned tense in Sikkim’s Namchi after a rally seeking justice for student leader turned violent. The rally was organised by the All Sikkim Gurung Tamu Buddhist Association. The Citizens Action Party (CAP) as well as people from various walks of life also expressed solidarity to the cause of the rally.

As per inputs, a section of the participants of the rally allegedly pelted stones targeting the Crossroads Cafe and Lodge alleging that owner of the Café, Keshav Thatal is the main accused in the Padam Gurung death case.

Protestors threw stones at police personnel too. To control the situation, police had to resort to lathicharge and also fired tear gas shells.

Section 144 has also been imposed for an indefinite period in the entire Central Park area and within 200 metres radius of Central Park.

Prakash Parajuli, Spokesperson, Citizen Action Party-Sikkim and Anuraj Chettri have been detained by the Police, inputs said.

Social activist Passang Sherpa warned that if the probe into the Padam Gurung death case is not handed over to the CBI, then the agitation will spread across the state.

He also alleged that the culprit is being ‘shielded.’

Passang Sherpa said, “Unfortunately, the police and administration were supposed to get the culprits behind the bar, but they are helping the culprits. We condemn this and we seek justice from the administration. If the administration cannot do this than the Governor of Sikkim should come forward and initiate a CBI inquiry. If not, for the protection of the Sikkimese people, we will have to forcibly take it into our own hands.”

The one-man Judicial Enquiry Commission set up by the state government headed by Justice N.K. Jain, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim, is already probing the case.

The next hearing would be held from 21 to 25 August.

The judicial inquiry into the death case of late Padam Gurung started on June 26, and so far the Commission has recorded statements of 35 witnesses in its first sitting held from July 25 to July 28.

Padam Gurung was untraceable since June 27 night after he was reportedly washed away following heavy rainfall. His body was recovered from a drain the next morning.

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