Sikkim: SDF slams YouTuber Uma Chamling’s arrest

Reported by Prakash Adhikari | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

Days after YouTuber and social media content creator from Nepal, Uma Chamlig was arrested by Sikkim Police over alleged charges of instigating communal violence, the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has strongly criticized the state police and the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government for their actions.

Uma Chamlig was booked under section 153 A/153 B/505(1)/505(2) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sent to 5 day police custody on Saturday.

The charges against her included attempting to instigate political interference in Sikkim and inciting communal unrest within the state by urging people to participate in the controversial Sakewa celebration program at Legship organised by SDF in her vlog recently.

Reacting to the matter, SDF Spokesperson, Yojna Rai said, “Uma Chamling is a tourist from Nepal who came here as a vlogger just like any other vlogger from our place visit to different parts of India and Nepal. We have never invited her to attend the Sakewa celebration in Legship and there is no such propaganda of SDF party in this matter.
She just traveled and vlogged her way here. But she got arrested over alleged charges. We are disheartened about what she has been facing here.”

Spokesperson and Political Secretary to the CM, Jacob Khaling and SKM has alleged that Uma Chamling ha entered Sikkim without Inner Line Permit (ILP) and demanded Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to investigate the matter.

Taking a dig on Jacob Khaling, Yojna Rai said that RAW should investigating about Khaling and what he has done so far.

She also questioned how could Uma have entered Sikkim via the Melli Check Post if she didn’t have an ILP? Why had she not been investigated earlier by the government or administration?

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