Gangtok, Oct 02: On the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the message of “peace” echoed through the political landscape of Sikkim as the Citizen Action Party (CAP) made a significant plea to the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) Party.
The CAP representatives visited the SKM Party headquarters, delivering a memorandum that urged an end to the political violence that has marred the state’s peace.
This initiative was driven by a recent incident on September 29 when a CAP party worker’s vehicle was vandalized, sparking concerns over the escalating violence in the region. Albert Gurung, the Spokesperson of CAP, highlighted the global significance of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, emphasizing his principles of peace and non-violence.
Gurung expressed deep concern over the surge in violent incidents since the SKM party came into power in 2019 and noted the lack of substantial action against the perpetrators.
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He stressed that it is the duty of the ruling party to ensure peace and harmony in the state. The CAP delegation’s visit aimed to propose a peaceful resolution with the SKM party and underline the need for a more tranquil political environment in Sikkim, especially with elections approaching.
The recent act of violence against CAP triggered this move. On September 29, CAP’s All Sikkim Youth Welfare Council organized a youth meeting in Soreng, which had to be relocated to Dodak Helipad due to unforeseen circumstances. During this transition, some attendees were obstructed in Soreng town, and a vehicle was damaged by individuals reportedly affiliated with the SKM party, chanting SKM slogans.
In response to this incident, CAP announced its intention to visit the SKM party headquarters during a press conference.
Pawan Gurung, SKM party General Secretary (Headquarters), recognized this as a unique initiative from an opposition party and expressed SKM’s commitment to peace. He acknowledged that political violence dynamics change with ruling parties, noting that CAP’s leader, Ganesh Rai, was formerly a member of the Sikkim Democratic Front party.
However, Gurung stated that he is bound by party directives not to elaborate on the issue, assuring that designated party spokespersons would address the matter in due course. This significant plea for peace on Gandhi Jayanti marks a pivotal moment in Sikkim’s political landscape, highlighting the importance of non-violence and harmony in the state’s governance.
