STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
Gangtok, 12 March
A youth supporter of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), who was injured in an attack on 4 March, died last night, igniting fresh blame game between the SDF and the Opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha.
Arun Rai, 23, of Lower Rai Gaon in Chakung in West Sikkim had been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of the Central Referral Hospital in Tadong near Gangtok for injuries he sustained when alleged SKM activists attacked some SDF members on the day the ruling party marked its 22nd anniversary.
The SDF today demanded immediate arrest of SKM president PS Golay, as according to it, Mr Golay provoked his supporters to indulge in the violence that day.
“The SKM supporters arrested (in connection with the attack) are already out on bail, while their party also accorded them a warm welcome in Namchi in south Sikkim following their release,” SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal said.
“Murderers must not be welcomed by society, but sent behind bars,” he
said.
However, the SKM termed the youth&’s death a conspiracy against the party and demanded a CBI inquiry.
SKM spokesperson Dilip Rai told a press conference today that his party expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
“However, we completely condemn the strategy of the SDF to use the death of Rai as a political propaganda,” he added.
The SKM also denied that the six persons arrested and bailed out were party members. Mr Rai questioned the inability of the ruling SDF to take Rai out of the state for better treatment.
In a statement, the SDF, meanwhile, said the party did not take Rai anywhere as, according to him, the doctor attending to him had warned against moving the injured youth&’s head even a bit.
The SKM said the ruling party was playing a game in Rai&’s death to divert the attention of many of its supporters who are dissatisfied with the list of SDF candidates contesting the Assembly elections. The ruling SDF yesterday made public the list of the candidates for all the 32 seats.
Earlier, chief minister Pawan Chamling paid tributes to Rai at the SDF party head office.