Singtam violence: NHRC seeks action taken report in 8 weeks

By Prakash Adhikari

Taking cognisance of the violence in Singtam near Gangtok in Sikkim that took place on April 8 during the Joint Action Committee (JAC)’s rally that left general secretary of the JAC, Keshav Sapkota, seriously injured, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed SP East Sikkim to take appropriate action and submit action taken report in 8 weeks.

In the NHRC notice dated April 17, the Commission said, “The authority concerned is directed to take appropriate action within 8 weeks” and submit the action taken report.

It may be mentioned here that on April 8, the JAC had organised a rally in Singtam to protest the dilution of the term Sikkimese in the Finance Act, 2023. The rally turned ugly when it came under attack and general secretary Sapkota was chased and brutally kicked, punched and beaten up by unidentified men.
Sapkota sustained severe injuries to his head and face and was seen bleeding profusely. He was rushed to the District hospital in Singtam and the rally was halted. Situation turned tense as fist-fights and full-fledged clashes erupted even as armed security personnel tried to intervene and stop the clashes.
Ex-MLA and SDF leader Mechung Bhutia, who was also part of the rally, was also injured in the attack.

The attack on the JAC rally was condemned by several political parties like the Hamro Sikkim Party and student bodies and other organisations like the Khas Youth of Sikkim, Sikkim Ex Naval Sailors Association (SENSA) and the Journalists Union of Sikkim. Launching a direct attack on the ruling SKM, Former Sikkim Chief Minister and SDF leader Pawan Chamling had said that ‘goons are running the government’.

Also Read: Singtam Violence: Bhaichung Bhutia blames Sikkim CM PS Tamang, JAC calls for Janta Curfew tomorrow