Sikkim rocked by pre-poll violence amidst assembly elections campaigning

GANGTOK: Sikkim has been rocked by yet another incident of election-related violence, with miscreants allegedly targeting a vehicle affiliated with opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Syari assembly constituency candidate Tenzing Norbu Lamtha.

The alleged attack, which occurred on Sunday (April 14) evening, resulted in injuries to a SDF worker.

According to reports, the vehicle, used for official campaigning of the SDF party workers in Syari assembly constituency in Sikkim, was vandalized.

This incident has heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing electoral campaign.

In response to the escalating violence and allegations of monetary inducements, the Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim has strongly condemned the situation, calling for decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process in the state.

Also read: Sikkim assembly elections: SDF fostering communal disharmony, says SKM leader

Briefing the media on April 11, LP Kafley, chairman of CAP Sikkim’s election campaigning committee, expressed deep concern over the surge in political violence despite the model code of conduct being in place.

Kafley highlighted reports of violence from various parts of Sikkim and alleged instances of money distribution by political entities aiming to influence voters.

Additionally, incidents of cash seizures at checkpoints have raised concerns about the misuse of financial resources to sway election outcomes.