Press Release
Shri Pawan Chamling lists the blunders committed by Mr PS Goley led government while handling the Late Padam Gurung’s mysterious death case. He says that the Sikkim Police has not been given a free hand by the govt which is a failure of the Home Minister. He also asks why is the CM so afraid of allowing a CBI inquiry
“Q. Chief Minister PS Goley finally visited the family of the late Padam Gurung and ordered a judiciary inquiry. What would you like to say about this?
Ans: Believe me, Mr. PS Goley has lost the plot as far as hiding his failure in running the administration is concerned. He has been making a series of blunders, one after the other, desperately trying to fool the people and distract the people’s minds from how unsafe Sikkim has become under his party’s watch. Look at the following chronology to get an idea about how mindlessly he is acting. There is a complete contradiction between what he is saying and what he is doing:
1. Speaking about the death of the late Padam Gurung, the Namchi College SRC President, Chief Minister Goley on 4th July in Temi Tarku said that there was nothing suspicious about his death. He basically ruled out any chance of murder without any official investigation and inquiry.
2. But when the family of the late Gurung and public pressed for a thorough investigation, he was forced to form an SIT comprising police officers, to investigate the unnatural death.
3. But what was shocking and very suspicious was that some important members of the SIT were transferred overnight.
4. Then on 12 July, after more than two weeks had passed, he visited the family of the late Gurung.
5. Then he ordered a judicial enquiry.
Why is the Chief Minister PS Goley not going for a CBI inquiry even though the family of the late Gurung, students and people are asking for it. He himself had said that if the people wanted a CBI inquiry, he would allow it. Why is he afraid of a CBI investigation now?
Here are some serious questions. How did he ‘know’ that there was nothing suspicious about the death? If there was no suspicion, why was the SIT formed? Why were two members of the SIT transferred in the middle of the investigation? Where are the findings and report of the SIT? Why was a judiciary enquiry ordered without making the SIT findings public? Why did the police not arrest any suspects despite the fact that an audio clearly mentions the name of at least one suspect?
These developments outwardly show the failure of the police but in truth they actually show that the Sikkim Police have not been given a free hand. I was Chief Minister for 25 years and I know the ability and efficiency of the Sikkim Police. Sikkim actually has one of the best police forces in the country. But since 2019, we have witnessed an alarming situation where the police have not been able to do what they can. Goons are attacking people and vandalizing houses and party offices right in the presence of the police and they cannot do anything. Many police stations do not even want to register FIRs. This is very disturbing. But more importantly it shows the failure of the Home
Minister. If he has any shred of morality left, he should resign right now. He has to step down now and allow the CBI investigation.
There are many reasons why he has to resign, admitting that he utterly failed as Chief Minister and Home Minister. Every month, several dead bodies are being found in Sikkim. Violence has reached its highest point. Sikkim had witnessed a series of rapes, murders, attempts to murder, vandalism (even of the State Secretariat), arson, mob attacks, suicides, high profile corruptions and their ilk taking place all over Sikkim. Attacks on the SDF youth leaders have almost become a daily routine. The JAC leader, Mr. Keshav Sapkota was brutally attacked by a bunch of goons right in front of the police. None of those goons were arrested. Chief Minister, Mr. Goley did not even visit the victim while he was languishing in hospital.
The battered and wounded Sikkim we have been seeing since 2019 is the Sikkim of Mr. PS Goley’s dream. What kind of Sikkim would you expect when the Chief Minister says that no one should underestimate him, his team is ready, his team will enter into people’s houses and beat them up, his team has already crushed the head of their opponents and in six months they will finish them off by crushing their tail. This is the Assangthang Declaration made by the Chief Minister, Goley himself. This is exactly the Sikkim that we get when the government is formed by hook or by crook. This is exactly the Sikkim we get when the ruling party’s mantra is – Sarkar hamilai chahinchha, kutera hunchha ki, lutera hunchha ki marera huncha, sarkar hamilai chahinchha. (We desperately need to form the government. Be it by beating up people, stealing or killing, we need to form the government). This was the Jorethang Declaration made in November 2018 in a public speech by an SKM leader just before the 2019 election.
Let us not tolerate this incapable, deceptive and corrupt government for another minute.”
Judy Rai
General Secy., Press & Publicity Affairs
SDF.
16.07.2023
