Citizen Action Party alleges political violence, demands justice for attack on party leaders

The Citizen Action Party – Sikkim (CAP-S) has strongly condemned the violent attack on four of its leaders — Shri Prashant Gurung, Shri Prashant Babu Chettri, Shri Lalit Gurung, and Shri Dhan Bahadur Tamang — on the night of July 17, describing it as a “brutal and cowardly assault” carried out in full view of police authorities at Sadar Police Station. In a statement issued on July 20, the party accused members of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), specifically targeting SKM Youth President Lakpa Moktan, as the alleged mastermind behind the attack.

The CAP-S leadership referred to the incident as an act of “political terrorism,” claiming it was not an isolated case but part of a broader, calculated strategy by the ruling party to intimidate opposition voices and suppress democratic dissent in the state. “This was a deliberate, politically motivated assault,” the statement read, “aimed at crushing our party’s resistance and silencing the truth.”

The party also criticised what it called a post-incident “propaganda campaign” led by the SKM, accusing them of “fielding nearly a full football team of spokespersons” to deflect public scrutiny and “whitewash their criminal conduct.” CAP-S alleged that, despite repeated denials by the SKM, no credible evidence has been presented to disprove the charges, particularly questioning the non-disclosure of CCTV footage from the police station where the incident took place.

“If the CCTV cameras at Sadar Police Station were functioning, why has the footage not been made public?” asked Tashi Bhutia, Vice-President of the CAP-S Youth Council. “What is the government trying to hide? The footage, if released, would speak louder than scripted denials and staged press conferences.”

The party further accused the SKM-led government of using state machinery to stifle opposition, stating that police forces, online platforms, and public messaging are being manipulated to distract from key issues like unemployment, corruption, and unpaid government employees.

“The fear gripping the state today is not of criminals, but of government-backed violence. Sadar Thana has become a theatre of SKM’s political power games,” the CAP-S alleged.

In a message directed at the Chief Minister and ruling party, the statement said, “You may control the government today, but you do not control the conscience of the people. The citizens of Sikkim are no longer silent spectators — they are awakening.”

The Citizen Action Party – Sikkim placed five formal demands before the state government:

- Immediate release of CCTV footage from Sadar Police Station.

- Independent judicial inquiry into the attack on the four party members.

- Suspension of police officers on duty at the time of the incident.

- Arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved in the assault.

- A public apology from the Chief Minister for allowing political violence under his watch.