Sikkim Police officer alleges assault at political rally

Gangtok: Sikkim Police Assistant Sub-Inspector Lakpa Tshering Bhutia claims he was mobbed and pushed at a Citizen Action Party membership event. The incident occurred on September 3 in Marchak, Ranipool. Bhutia, an officer with the Special Branch, worked undercover to monitor the political gathering for law and order. Attendees identified him as police. They allegedly grabbed his collar, surrounded him, and blocked him from leaving.

Bhutia reported that the crowd tried to strong-arm him into joining the party while he was on duty. The Gangtok district Senior Superintendent of Police confirmed that the Ranipool Police Station opened a formal case the same day. Charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita include assault against a public servant, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, and wrongful restraint. Officers detained the suspects, questioned them, and issued statutory notices under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

Citizen Action Party spokesperson Albert Gurung dismissed the accusations. He insists the party used no coercion during the membership drive. "He first gave a false name and joined us - we have not done anything forceful," Gurung said. He noted that media members were present at the event and questioned why the officer did not complain sooner. The police are continuing their probe and promise a fair, evidence-based process.