The two arrested Geyzing College students were termed as ‘Desh Drohi’, ‘Anti-establishment’ by the Ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha party.
In a photo proof provided by SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling showed that the duo has participated in the farmer’s protest in January. He questioned if they engaged in the unfurling of the National Flag at Red Fort, New Delhi.
Jacob Khaling stated, “Why are students extending support and being involved in the Farmers Protest? It appears they went to Singhu border with banners and even raised slogans, they took an Innova vehicle from Sikkim to Singhu border, so who is funding them? Despite the farmers’ bills being good for India, they opposed. They had raised the concern on odd and even rule in October here in Sikkim, clashing with drivers in the state. Now, they have disguised themselves as students and raising concerns on early completion of work not being done for Geyzing College. They are nothing but reactionary and anti-establishment individuals”.
The political secretary to the Chief Minister also asserted that
The SKM party will move to CBI, NIA and other investigative agencies to regarding the duo and their engagement in unfurling of the National Flag in Red Fort, said the political secretary to the Chief Minister.
“Such individuals who disguise themselves as students are now misleading the Geyzing college students; they may have been involved in the unfurling of the National Flag in Red Fort. They are anti-nationals, who incite violence in Sikkim and we request investigative agencies to find out if they were involved in Red Fort chaos”, stated Khaling.
Sikkim Police took 18 male students who camped at Education Department building on Friday night. 9 female students protested for the release of the Duo outside the Sadar Police Station.
The duo has been recognized as Pravin Basnett and Pravin Upreti. They were booked under IPC Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restrain), 448 (punishment for house-trespass) 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault and wrongful restraint), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty) 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and the same was deemed as a non-bailable offense.
They were released on bail Saturday; however, the charges and the case against them have not been dropped yet.
No official statement came from the Additional Chief Secretary or Sikkim Polices so far. The female students made allegations that the Additional Chief Secretary Upadhayay pushed female students touching their bodies to exit the Education Department building. Sikkim Police rejected the counter FIR of the students, on Saturday.
On the work done for Geyzing Government College, Khaling stated, “We were hampered with the COVID-19 pandemic wherein work could not be carried out during the lockdown for 8-9 months in 2020. Issues like lack of labour force, raw materials and transportation issues hampered the Chief Minister’s written assurance of completion of the first phase of Geyzing College. Students in a meeting with the CM in March 2020 demanded the expansion of the college ground area, which took some time as more land acquisition was needed and adequate compensation for residents.
We have allocated close to Rs. 35.86 crore for the construction of the college and the tender was passed. The additional cost, including the previous construction, and compensation, increased the cost to about Rs 54 crore. We had to even pay close to Rs. 5 crore of the unpaid bill to the contractors as the previous government had not made the payment. Work will follow swiftly now on a priority basis.”
Education Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha was said to refrain from stressful environment owing to his health, informed SKM spokesperson defending the Minister.