Cheli Morcha protest roars all over Sikkim

Our Bureau

December 30: The vaunted frontal organization of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, the Cheli Morcha made a strong statement today with huge protest rallies all across the State against the proliferation of sleazy anonymous pamphlets. The pamphlets are said to be in vogue in the State presently targeting certain leaders of the ruling front.The protest rally was staged after the SDF frontal organization took the decision on December 26 as anonymous pamphlets started doing rounds causing considerable flutter in the ruling front.Recent controversies notwithstanding, hundreds of Cheli Morcha hit the streets across the State protesting against the elements behind the anonymous pamphlets.GANGTOK: Marking a strong protest against the circulation of the anonymous pamphlets in Sikkim, the Cheli Morcha members of all the 12 constituencies of East district staged a mammoth protest rally in the capital. The Cheli Morcha members gathered today early morning at Paljor Stadium carrying placards and holding banners against the forces behind the sleazy pamphlets.A strong contingent of Sikkim Armed Police had been deployed in the field along with Gangtok police to prevent any law and order problem during the protest rally.The rallies started from Paljor stadium at 11 am in the morning took a round of Zero Point along the national highway and ended up at SDF Bhawan located at Indra Bye Pass. The traffic along the national highway in the capital came to standstill during these rallies.The MLAs of the respective constituencies and the party office bearers of the party also made a special appearance in the rally which was led by Tilu Gurung, the in-charge of the East District. “The participation of Cheli Morcha members was overwhelming as we never expected such a huge participation”, said Lakila Tongden, the East District Cheli Morcha convener of SDF party while talking with Sikkim Express. Tongden said the party has recorded participation of almost 10,000 members of Cheli Morcha in the rally today. Terming the protest rally as a successful endeavor, Tongden said that the Cheli Morcha strongly condemn and protest any kind of defamation words against the women in Sikkim. “Any one who defames the prestige of Sikkimese women is an anti social element and deserves a severe action”, Sakun Gurung, the vice-convener of Cheli Morcha said. GEYZING: The Cheli Morcha members of all the eight constituencies in West Sikkim led by their respective area MLAs today joined their counterparts in other parts of the State to protest against the circulation of anonymous pamphlets.Around 5000 women supporters of the ruling front gathered at Kyongsa ground here and took out a massive protest rally. They shouted slogans against those elements behind the anonymous pamphlets besides listening to addresses from the party leaders.The Cheli Morcha convener Indra Maya Gurung reminded that it was only the SDF government which has really empowered the Sikkimese women.The rally concluded at Geyzing bazaar. SOUTH: The Cheli Morcha protest rally for South Sikkim was staged at Namchi where hundreds of women and party supporters participated.The rally started from Bhaichung Stadium, proceeded through the district administrative road and concluded at Namchi bazaar. Hundreds of Cheli Morcha members from all the eight constituencies of South Sikkim took part in the protest rally waving placards, banners and shouting slogans.The rally was followed by a series of public speeches at Bhaichung Stadium where Cheli Morcha South Vice-Convener Aruna Mangar, publicity secretary Tirtha Subba and other party functionaries addressed the crowd. In their addresses, the party functionaries underlined the various development and empowerment measures initiated by the SDF government for the Sikkimese women. No other party can do so much for the Chelis, they said. MANGAN: Hundreds of Cheli Morcha members today took out a protest rally in Mangan against the anonymous pamphlets. The rally was coordinated by Dzongu MLA SG Lepcha, Lachen-Mangan MLA TW Lepcha, Kabi-Lungchok MLA TT Bhutia, minister Neeru Sewa, SCPCR chairperson C Saring, Upadhyaksha PD Bhutia, Cheli Morcha North convener Phurmit Lepcha and others.The protest rally started from Lower Mangan Bazaar and concluded at public ground here.The Dzongu MLA in his address said that the prestige of Sikkimese women is at stake as the anonymous pamphlets are meant to defame the Sikkimese women. The rally is against these pamphlets and to provide security to the Chelis of Sikkim, he said highlighting the steps taken by the SDF government to empower the Sikkimese women.The Kabi-Lungchok legislator said the party has always given priority to the women in the State for their upliftment. Our party’s motive towards the development of Sikkimese women is very clear, he said.Minister Neeru Sewa in her address underlined the strength of the ruling party and thrust given by the SDF government on development of Sikkim and Sikkimese people. The allegations put by anonymous elements are nothing but injustice to all the Sikkimese women and party workers, she said.We are not ending the matter with the protest rally as the government will find out those behind these anonymous pamphlets and take action against them, Sewa promised.