GANGTOK: Former Sikkim chief minister, Pawan Chamling, reportedly faced an attack allegedly orchestrated by supporters of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) in Namchi.
This was claimed by the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in a statement.
Chamling was en route to a meeting when he was allegedly assaulted by SKM supporters.
The incident occurred after Chamling performed a puja at Namchi Bazar and was on his way to the meeting at Kishan Market.
According to the SDF statement, hundreds of SKM supporters obstructed Chamling’s path, physically assaulted him, and attempted to ‘suffocate’ him, while police and bystanders were unable to intervene effectively.
SDF supporters reportedly intervened to protect Chamling, but several of them, including women, were also “subjected to severe beatings and required hospitalization”.
The SDF condemned the alleged attack as an assault on democracy and accused Sikkim CM PS Tamang Golay’s supporters of engaging in aggressive and criminal behavior.