A major clash broke out between party members of Sikkim Democratic Front and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha on January 23. Incidents of stone pelting were also reported where Sikkim Democratic front’s karyakartas were allegedly stone pelted by the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s karyakartas during SDF’s Sikkim Bachau Abhiyan rally led by SDF President Pawam Chamling which was held at Assangthang, South Sikkim.
Speaking to the media on the incident that took place, one of the SDF members said, "This is the country of Mahatma Gandhi .. world's largest democracy ..in world's largest constitution. The ruling party have compelled us not to organize meetings ..not to visit temple ..not to visit house whose family members have died. Situation is such that we cannot do anything in our own state. We started the programme sikkim bachao abhiyan under the leadership of SDM President Pawan Chamling. But today members of SKM party blocked our road while we were on our way to Namsi organizing our programme. SKM attacked SDM. Many of our members are missing and injured. We informed the day before to the police to provide us security, but they denied and if opposition parties are not allowed to organize rallies, then they must come forward and speak openly".
Adding further on the kind of violence erupting in the state, the SDF member added, "If such kind of violence exist in a state like Sikkim, where is the democracy ?What is Sikkim Government doing ? Does democracy exist in Sikkim ? We cannot accept the Gunda Raaj in Sikkim. We had already informed the SP and the police, but still no police personnel are available".
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