Sikkim resident arrested for threatening social media post against Prof Lama

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: Sikkim resident B.K. Pokhrel, who was arrested for allegedly posting defamatory remarks and threats against former Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor and academician Prof. Mahendra P. Lama on social media, was produced before a court here on Thursday.

Pokhrel was arrested in Sikkim on Wednesday in a joint operation by the Sikkim and Darjeeling police following an FIR lodged by the youth wing of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) at Darjeeling Sadar Police Station on September 22.

“Pokhrel was produced before the court today, with his next date of production fixed for this coming Monday,” court sources said.

Speaking about Pokhrel’s arrest, IGJF youth front president Rabgay Rai said in a press statement, “The person accused of making remarks suggesting the killing of Dr. Mahendra P. Lama through a social media post has been arrested. I would like to strongly state that differences of opinion are part of any democratic society. However, threats to a person’s life cannot be accepted or justified. Differences must be addressed through proper, peaceful and civil dialogue, not through threats, intimidation or hooliganism.”

Rai also maintained that no attempt should be made to create disharmony between the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim, adding that the longstanding social and cultural bonds between the two regions must be respected and preserved.

The Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim, of which Pokhrel is a member, has distanced itself from the remark and constituted a Disciplinary Action Committee to examine the matter. The party has said that the comment was made by Pokhrel in his individual capacity and was not a statement of the party.

Pokhrel’s statements against Lama follow the controversy surrounding the roadmap for a Permanent Political Solution (PPS) for the area proposed by the academician.

Allegations have been made against Prof. Lama that, in the roadmap proposal, he had suggested the merger of Darjeeling with Sikkim as a fourth option. However, many have pointed out that Prof. Lama had never explicitly mentioned a Sikkim merger in his proposal.

Those supporting Lama have maintained that he was likely referring to “Seemanchal Pradesh”, a much-discussed concept for the region involving the creation of a new State from parts of north Bengal, Bihar and Assam.

Lama has, however, recently claimed that his proposal for the PPS had only three points: Statehood for the area, including some parts of the Dooars and Chopra; Union Territory status; and a State within a State under the provisions of Article 244A.