Court released 25 Congressmen

Gangtok , Sikkim : A local court here has ordered the release of 25 Congressmen arrested on charges of burning Governor Mr V Rama Rao’s effigy and shouting “provocative” and “derogatory” slogans against him.

District and Sessions Judge Mr SW Lepcha yesterday ordered their release on bail. The 25 Congressmen were arrested on 6 August for burning the Governor’s effigy and shouting slogans against him outside the Congress office here. They were protesting against the Governor’s apparent inaction in resolving the crisis arising out of the ongoing strike by the Affected Citizens Of Teesta against the implementation of over half a dozen hydroelectric power projects at Dzongu in North Sikkim. It may be recalled that the Opposition parties had launched a tirade against the state government demanding immediate release of the Congress leaders. The arrested Congress leaders included Mr T Gyatso, vice president of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee and Mr JB Darnal, general secretary of South district.

Former chief minister and Sikkim Congress president Mr Nar Bahadur Bhandari has expressed his happiness over the release of the party leaders.

Mr Kunga Nima Lepcha, one of the Congress spokespersons, said: “We organised a long victory procession in the town to celebrate the release of the party leaders.”

“It is surprising that Governor Mr V Rama Rao who comes under 371F (G) of the Indian Constitution is not aware of his responsibility and duty, We, however, would not mind alerting him of his responsibility from time to time,” the SPCC president, Mr Bhandari, said.

Source: The Statesman