We have no one to save in Padam Gurung’s death case, do not doubt us: Sikkim CM

Amid severe criticism from opposition parties accusing the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha government of trying to save the culprits behind the alleged murder of student leader Padam Gurung, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay asserted on Thursday that they have no one to save and urged the people not to doubt them.

CM Tamang, also the president of the SKM party, addressing a rally at Rangpo as part of the SKM party’s 6th Jan Unmukti Diwas, said that arrests will take place based on evidence and that the culprit will be made to face the court.

“We have no one to save in this case, do not doubt us. We do not want to arrest the wrong person to shut down all opposition. Our aim is not only to arrest, but the culprit will be made to face the court, where he will be given the verdict that he is the killer. We could arrest the six friends or the restaurant owner, but they may be released in six months. We want to arrest the people with all the evidence that points towards his death. Only then will his soul rest in peace,” CM Tamang said, addressing the crowd.

Accusing the opposition parties of turning Padam Gurung’s death into a propagnada, Tamang said, “The issue is being made propaganda by the opposition parties, they are playing politics over his grave. We are serious and reluctant to speak, as it may subjugate the matter. Our aim is to ensure that Padam Gurung’s murderer, if any, is put behind bars. We will leave no stone unturned to punish the culprit, if there are any.”

Narrating the incident of Namchi College Student Representative Council president who died on June 27–28 night, Golay said, “I came to know on June 28 morning, then directed the Namchi SP to investigate the matter and find out the culprit. On July 1, a special investigation team was constituted, and then a high-powered committee was formed on July 4.”

Golay further added that the opposition doesn’t have an issue currently. Hence, they are playing politics over his dead body.”

“We have constituted a judicial inquiry under retired judge NK Jain, where even the police are answerable. There were 35 witnesses called by the committee from July 25–29. On Padam Gurung’s death, if there is evidence from witnesses, they must submit it to the committee. There should be 43 witnesses collectively. Even thereafter, if no conclusion is drawn, we will give the case to a bigger committee”, said the CM.

Requesting the people to believe in his government and the judicial inquiry, the Chief Minister, in a strong note, said that the culprit will not be spared.

Golay also highlighted how he was a victim of politics when he was put behind bars over a cow distribution case dating back to 1995, when he was the Animal Husbandry Minister under Pawan Kumar Chamling’s regime.

He shared, “I was a victim of politics that took me to jail. Jan Unmukti Diwas is a black day for dictators like Chamling. This is the day I got freed from politics that put me in jail. I gave directions from jail too. I could have just relaxed, but I carried the change in system from jail itself. To condemn this day as black day is wrong when Chamling celebrated his own birthday as an SDF event till 2019.”

Taking a jibe at opposition parties, Golay said, “Chamling came to power when former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari was weak, Ganesh Rai is now talking against Chamling when he is weak. But we did so when Chamling secured all 32 seats when they were at their strongest”.

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