Over Immigrants row violence in Sikkim due to SDF's bandh call
Sikkim:Violence erupted in Namchi in South Sikkim district on February 5 when supporters of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) allegedly vandalized the office of the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), police said. The incident took place amid a 48-hour bandh called by the SDF on Damthing Road, protesting the Supreme Court’s observation on the Sikkimese Nepali community.
A police team soon reached the spot and brought the situation under control, officials said, adding that sufficient forces have been deployed in the area. The SDF headquarters on Bypass Road was vandalized on Saturday, the first day of the bandh. Police said they have arrested three people in connection with the vandalism and the search is on for others involved.
Police said that a case has been registered against the arrested persons under Section 147 (sedition) of the IPC. Ten SDF members were also arrested for burning an effigy of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in Gangtok. He said that youth leader Arun Limbu and former minister Tshering Wangdi Lepcha are among those arrested.
The protests came amid public anger after the Supreme Court, in an observation on January 13, referred to the Sikkimese Nepali community as immigrants while exempting all old settlers of the state from income tax.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) has also called for a Sikkim Bandh on February 8 over this issue. He appealed that every family send at least three people to join a rally to be held during the bandh, and asked businesses to remain closed.
The Supreme Court, in its order dated January 13, 2023, directed the Center to amend the definition of ‘Schemes’ in Section 10 (26AAA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 to exempt all Indian citizens residing in Sikkim from income tax. Prior to the date of merger on April 26, 1975. The state government has already filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on the matter.
