Chamling’s image means Sikkim’s dignity: SDF

Gangtok,Sep11: “Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling has made every Sikkimese proud through his heightened image for works in various national and international fields. His contributions in environment, tourism and such other matters earned laurels which showcased Sikkim to the country and the world that gave pride and honour to the people of the state. Chamling’s image means Sikkim’s dignity”. This is said in a press release by SDF general secretary (publicity secretary) Mr. T. N. Sharma.
The release as a rejoinder, condemns a report in a Gangtok based Nepali daily of September 10 which published a remark of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad president Dr. A. D. Subba with insinuations about “The record of 58 awards, honour and degrees presented by national and international institutions to him (Chamling) speaks for itself.
A leader like Dr. Subba, who is totally rejected by the people of Sikkim in a democratic way, has no right to comment on these honours and awards. Better he contacts those awarding institutions to have a better knowledge about the criteria for presenting these awards”, the release said. It added, “Dr.Chamling is the only leader in whom the people of Sikkim have faith as he is above any caste, creed, religion and communal politics

Namchi election free, fair and peaceful, says DC

Binod Rai casting his vote
Namchi,Sep11 : The fate of five candidates contesting for the Bye Poll in Namchi Singithang constituency is now locked in the 15 EVMs which have been kept under care of Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) at a strong room, in Namchi District Administrative Centre (DAC).
DC South and also the Returning Officer, AK Singh while talking to reporters said that the election was held peacefully to the fullest satisfaction of all the candidates and the Central Observer. Not a single complaint was received from any candidate, he said. He further informed that the turn out of voters in this bye election was 67.5% against 74% in the last general assembly election held in May 2009.
DC said that in the constituency, the poling station at Namchi Sr. Sec. School Room No. 3 recorded the lowest voting percentage of 48.10% while the poling station at Singtam Palung Primary School recorded the highest turn out of 81.06%.

According to DC Mr. Singh, the SPCC President has filed a complaint yesterday to the Observer which was later forwarded to him where it was mentioned that the people were afraid of coming out of their house to cast vote”, the DC/RO said. He further informed that the EVMs have been kept in the strong room under the watch of ITBP personnel, Central Observers and the Election cell. Above the strong room and the counting hall, there are CCTV cameras and one person for round the clock vigil, he said. The DAC conference hall has been prepared for counting of votes which is tentatively slated for 14th September subject to the final decision by Chief Election Officer

A day of nostalgia for Sikkim CM

Namchi,sep11: It was perhaps nostalgic for Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling when, after two and a half decades, he cast his vote for another candidate, of course one of his own party SDF, from Namchi Singithang constituency on Thursday.
Damthang was the constituency before delimitation from where he was elected MLA for 25 years. After delimitation, Damthang broke up in two constituencies, namely, Namchi Singithang and Poklok Kamrang from both of which the Chief Minister won with huge margin in May 2009 general election.
Subsequently, he retained Poklok Kamrang and vacated Namchi Singithang for the bye election on September 10, in which Binod Rai is contesting with SDF ticket. Dr. Chamling and Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling cast their vote on the day at Namchi New Secondary School poling booth while SDF candidate Binod Rai cast his vote at Mickhola School poling booth.
Independent candidates Namgyal Bhutia and Chandra Prakash Manger cast their vote at JNMIH, Boomtar, and Phalidara poling stations respectively. Two other candidates, Yuva Raj Rai of INC and Arjun Rai of SGPP are not voters of this constituency.

Spice Girl Kissing Controversy of Nepal PM

KATHMANDU: When he became the new prime minister four months ago, Nepal's veteran communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal was criticized strongly for The 56-year-old Nepal PM has triggered a fresh controversy after receiving a kiss in public - from former Spice Girl band member Geri Halliwell.
This week, the 56-year-old has triggered a fresh controversy after receiving a kiss in public - from former Spice Girl band member Geri Halliwell, also known as 'Sexy Spice' and 'Ginger Spice'.

TNHSS felicitation programme

Gangtok,sep11: The alumini association of Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary School has organised a colourful programme in School hall to felicitate its former teachers .The UD&HD Minister graced the occassion as Chief Guest and Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal as guest of honour.
The three former teachers honoured on occassion included Dorjee Rinchen Lama,Manjyoti Lama and Jermit Lepcha. however,due to ill health Manjyoti Lama couldnot attend the felicitation programme. Smt. Shanti Singh who is incharge of primary section was awarded Best Teacher of Year award. The function also presented awards and scholarships to topper students of Class X & XII .

Sikkim ‘Micro Plan’ on agriculture and livestock development

Gangtok, September 11 : The Food Security, Agriculture Development and Horticulture and Cash Crops Department, organized a coordination meeting with Legislatures and Officers of host department and Animal Husbandry Department at the conference hall of Krishi Bhawan here in capital today.

The meeting was chaired by K.T Gyaltsen, Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ‘Micro Plan’ on agriculture and livestock development prepared by the Department of Food Security, Agriculture Development and Horticulture and Cash Crops under the guidance of the Chief Minister. Under this plan, the department had prepared a format and a map showing constituency and ward wise demarcation of various agricultural and livestock holdings and other information, where by the department could facilitate the micro plan schemes and programmes of the government in these areas.

Minister, Food Security, Agriculture Development and Horticulture and Cash Crops Department, Dawcho Lepcha presented the Micro Plan to the legislature for implementation with a request to submitted their action plan within 30th October 09.

Public information campaign concludes at Rhenock

Rhenock, September 11 : The Public Information Campaign carried out by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has fulfilled the objective of the information, entertainment and communication of flagship programmes with a complete package said SDM Rongli T T Kaleyon.
Addressing the valedictory function of the Bharat Nirman Campaign he said, the flagship programmes are for socio-economic development with thrust on rural areas. He expressed the hope that the public may be motivated from the PIC and utilise it for constructive purposes so that a transparent and efficient system of governance in place. BDO, Rhenock, Yadav K Sharma appreciated the programmes saying that there was not only information but also cultural integration as troupes other parts of the country and locals also performed on the same stage. This would help in Bharat Nirman.
ASHI, Sikkim also performed a small skit to highlight gender discrimination in society.

Ex-GNLF leader’s car burnt at night

Morcha accused of arson and ransack
Kurseong, Sept. 11: The house of a former DGHC councillor was ransacked and his car set on fire last night allegedly by a mob led by two Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders even as party president Bimal Gurung claimed that efforts were on to maintain peace in the hills.

The former councillor, I.N. Pradhan, was the Kurseong branch president of the GNLF before he quit the party last year.

Around 8.30pm, two Morcha leaders — Bobby Pradhan, a central committee member, and Suprem Chettri — called Pradhan out of his house at Ghayabari, 15km from here.

“When I came out, they started accusing me of attending a GNLF meeting at Longview area some days ago. I told them to show me authentic proof of my attending the meeting. A few minutes later, they went away threatening to return with more supporters,” Pradhan told journalists today.

Pradhan reportedly called up the subdivisional police officer (SDPO) seeking protection. “The Morcha duo had returned with some 20 supporters around 9:30pm and started throwing stones at my house. They first broke the windowpanes, then broke open the garage and brought out my WagonR (WB 66 3322) and set it on fire. They had fled by the time police arrived. ”

Pradhan and his wife Deepa had by then locked themselves inside the house. The former councillor filed an FIR with Kurseong police naming Bobby and Suprem as the main accused.

Pradhan denied having attended the Longview meeting. “I had resigned from the GNLF on July 27 last year. On September 7, I had been to Siliguri to buy vegetables in the evening. If they (the Morcha) prove (that I attended the meeting), I promise that I will leave the hills within 12 hours. When I don’t have links with the GNLF why should I attend the meeting?”

The SDPO of Kurseong, Rakesh Singh, confirmed that an FIR had been filed. “We are investigating the incident. No one has been arrested so far,” he said.

The Morcha, however, refused comment on the attack. “I am going to Ghayabari to investigate the incident. I will be able to speak on this matter only after I come back,” said Kamal Thapa, the vice-president of the party’s Kurseong unit, over the phone around 3pm.

The media and publicity secretary of the Morcha, Rohit Sharma, said he was busy attending a meeting.

The arson in the hills continues even as Gurung said on September 6 that while chalking out fresh agitation plans, he had kept in mind the “Centre’s request to maintain peace”.

Last year, on September 7, the Maruti car of Rajen Mukhia, a former GNLF leader, was set on fire allegedly by Morcha supporters in front of his house at Panighata in Mirik.

Morcha supporters had also occupied the sprawling bungalow of GNLF leader Dawa Pakhrin in Kalimpong on August 22 last year, planting flags atop the building and its main gate.

The residence of former civic chief of Kalimpong C.K. Kumai had been ransacked and Maurice Kalikotey’s house torched as Morcha supporters went on the rampage following the death of one of its supporters in Darjeeling on July 25, 2008. The bullet that killed Pramila Sharma had been allegedly fired from the house of Deepak Gurung, the Darjeeling branch committee president of the GNLF.

The Morcha took over GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh’s two-storeyed house at his native village in Manju Tea Estate, around 15km from Mirik, and converted it into a unit office on July 29 last year.

SMIT follow-up: AGP MP moves Kapil Sibal

NEW DELHI, Sept 11 – AGP Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Deepak Das has urged Minister of Human Resources, Kapil Sibal to intervene in the incidents of attack on students in Sikkim, Shillong and Punjab. The MP quoted the Minister as saying that as the incident involved a private university it is difficult to control. He also pointed out that law and order was state subject.

Das, said he has urged the H R D Minister to take urgent steps to ensure return of academic atmosphere in the institutions. He also alleged that the institutions took huge amount of money from students during the admission promising facilities that were never provided.

Meanwhile, a student of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) on condition of anonymity told this newspaper that on September 7, evening a heated arguments took place between the ‘local’ students and ‘outsiders’ over a volleyball match. This erupted into a clash between the two groups on the following day. The ‘local’ students bashed up ‘outsiders’ and vandalised the college buildings and premises.

Sensing trouble the authorities called in the Sikkim Police, which too was not of much help and instead lathi-charged the students. The teachers too left the students to fend for themselves.

Fearing for their lives the students barricaded themselves inside their hostel rooms. They piled up almirahs, beds, and tables to jam the doors, so that no one can open it. They remain so barricaded throughout the night of September 8.

Meanwhile the students were given marching orders the same night, the victim said. The students’ frantically called up their parents.

In the morning of September 9 all the hostel students including girls, were rounded up and cramped into buses and dumped at Siliguri Railway station. Some of the outstation students had not reached their home even till September 10 and were languishing at various stations- as they took whatever train they could enter

(ASSAM TRIBUNE)

BSNL 3-G IN SIKKIM SOON

Gangtok,September 10 (PIB):  The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is to launch 3-G services in Namchi, Mangan and Gyalshing shortly.
Addressing the session on rural telephony, Divisional Engineer, BSNL Tshering Dukpa said 3-G services help people to connect face to face over long distances and even in different countries. BSNL is not only a business organisation but has also social obligation in providing connectivity. Hence, under Bharat Nirman, village telephone booths are to be provided in every village at a subsidised rate, he said.

At present BSNL in Sikkim has only one route that is connected with rest of the country through, Rhenock, Pedong, Gorubathan and Malbazar. When this route is disrupted by theft cable or technical difficulties customers have to bare the burnt, the DE said.
Making a strong plea on individual responsibility, Mr. Dukpa urged that the copper wires whether overhead or underground should not be stolen or cut as this is a loss to both the company and the public. He added that people should not cut the optic fibre cable which is of no use to an individual but may cause health problems.
In order to give uninterrupted services another route is being laid by Eastern Telecom Project alongwith State Power and PWD. Telephone Adalats are also being held regularly in different parts of the State so that the public can settle their grievances, it is informed.
Informing the gathering on Right to Information Act, Nodal Officer, ST Tamang stressed that the Act has become a weapon to bring transparency in the functioning of government and other public institution. Illustrating various examples, Mr. Tamang said the RTI helps in the functioning of democracy. For the proper implementation of RTI the public should be aware of the different aspects of the Act

Nepal Club leaves for Sikkim Football Tournament

KATHMANDU, Sept 11: Nabil Three Star Club (NTSC), the title holders is leaving for Sikkim, India on Sunday to participate in the 31st Governors´ Gold Cup Football Tournament.

On the way to Sikkim, NTSC will play a friendly football match with Jhapa-11 in Kakarbhitta to be organized by the Jhapa District Football Association in a bid to establish players´ welfare fund. NTSC is scheduled to play its first match-quarterfinals on Sept 17.

CG foods has provided sports material worth Rs 100,000 for this tour. All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) President Ganesh Thapa bade a farewell to the team captained by Surendra Tamang.

Upendra Man Singh is the and Bal Gopal Maharjan are the coaches and Krishna Bahadur Shrestha is the manager of the team. Meanwhile, Nabil Bank has extended contract with the Three Star Club for one more year.

Sikkim Snippets

• 6 months old child died after his father hit him in Majitar area of Jorethang,South Sikkim. Police has arrested 32 years old Ram Bahadur Rai under Section 304.
• State Bank of India, Singtam branch launches customer awareness programme in Singtam and surrounding areas.
• 27 Students of NSS wing of PNG School ,Gangtok donates their blood at STNM hospital yesterday.
• BSNL Sikkim expresses concerns over damages to their cables during road digging by various government departments in Gangtok and its localities.
• Himalaya Darpan to mark its Sikkim bureau eastblishment six years ago by organising cultural and seminar programme tomorrow on Sep12 in Sikkim Government Collage auditorium.

Sikkim bye-election Counting on Sep14

NAMCHI, September 10: The polling for the Assembly bye-election at 11-Namchi-Singithing seat in South Sikkim was conducted peacefully today amidst tight security arrangements.
The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, whose name figures in this constituency cast his vote at 12:26 pm at New Secondary School, Namchi. He was accompanied by Mrs Tika Maya Chamling.
No untoward incident was reported anywhere from the constituency.
“The election was peaceful. We neither seized any arms nor arrested anyone. Not a single incident was reported where the voters have been influenced or intimidated to cast their votes,” returning officer AK Singh informed.
He said special in-charges were deputed in sensitive booths to prevent any untoward incidents.
“The polling recorded 67.5 percent as compared to the last general election which was 74 percent,” the Returning Officer said adding that the highest vote was recorded in Singtam Palung Junior High School which was 81.06 percent while the lowest vote was recorded as 48.10 percent in Namchi Senior Secondary School Room Number 3. Similar data was recorded from the same places in the last general election.
From a total of 9066 votes in the constituency, the total vote cast recorded till 4 pm was 6101. The remaining votes, from Saleybong polling area was yet to arrive yet till the filing of the report. The total number of voters cast in the last election was 9103.
However, with polling over, the fate of the five contestants of different political parties including Yova Raj Rai of Indian National Congress, Binod Rai from the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, Arjun Kumar Rai from the Sikkim Gorkha Prajantrik Party and two independent candidates Namgyal Dorjee Bhutia and Chandra Prakash Mangar will be decided on September 14 after the counting of votes. The by-election was necessitated following the vacating of the seat by the Chief Minster Pawan Chamling. Mr. Chamling had retained the Poklong-Kamrang constituency after winning from the both the constituencies in the Assembly elections held earlier this year.
It is also informed that the observation of the strong room where the EVMs shall be kept and also the counting hall are under CCTV vigilance till the declaration of the election results on September 14. The EVMs after having being returned from the 15 polling stations will be checked, sealed and locked in the presence of the Returning Officer, candidates, Central Observer and other concerned persons. In the process of checking EVMs if any uncommon thing is found then the matter would be reported by the Presiding Officers to the Central Observer, said the Returning Officer. Two sections of Indo- Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been deputed in the District Administrative Centre to guard the strong room, he said.
Mr. Singh also informed that the training for counting supervisors will be conducted tomorrow along with all the candidates and the Presiding Officers. Counting arrangement will be done as per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines and requiremen

Sikkim Minister C.B.Karki in Delhi

Sikkim Rural Development & Panchayati raaj Minister C.B.Karki in New Delhi to attend PM conference on poverty alleviation programmes.

Gold Medal in Architecture for Sikkimese student

Gangtok, September 11 : Diki Wangmu Bhutia received the prestigious Gold Medal for excellent performance in the Bachelor of Architecture degree from Madhav Institute of Technology and Science, Gwalior for the year 2008.
She was awarded the medal for having topped six consecutive semester examinations and finally for scoring the highest consolidated marks in her entire degree.

She received the Gold Medal and the certificate from Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and also the chairman of MITS, in the Annual Felicitation ceremony held at MITS, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
To get Status for herself to bring success to her state through achievement is her theme. Diki is a former student of St. Thomas and T. N. Academy. She resides with her mother K.D. Shangderpa and her sisters at Arithang, Gangtok. Presently, she is in the lookout for a suitable avenue to serve her state, Sikkim.

Sikkim High Court Justice Wangdi felicitated

GANGTOK, September 10A felicitation function in honour of the newly appointed Judge to the High Court of Sikkim, Justice SP Wangdi was held here in the Capital on September 8.

Organized by Bar Association of Sikkim, the programme was attended by the Chief Justice Aftab. H. Saika along with Justice AP Subba, Additional Advocate General, JB Pradhan, the Judicial Magistrate and members of the Bar Council.

DR Thapa, the president of the Bar Association of Sikkim in his address stated that the elevation of SP Wangdi as the Judge of the High Court itself speaks volume about his hard work, dedication and loyalty towards his profession. He added that the Bar Association will never forget the contribution made by Justice Wangdi in making the association come under one umbrella which was in two groups earlier.

The Additional Advocate General said history has been created in Sikkim with the elevation of SP Wangdi as the first local to reach the dignified post.

While thanking the entire Bar members for showering love and affection on him, Justice assured to leave no stone unturned in living up to the expectation of the people. “The journey of my professional career was not a bed of roses, I struggled a lot and I want the junior lawyers to do the same,” he added.

Stating that there is no substitute for hard work and shortcut to success, he said the lawyers should be more efficient, dynamic and rational.

However, Justice Wangdi resented on the fact that many young lawyers were not serious about their advocacy profession

High Court directsto constitute special juvenile police units in Sikkim

GANGTOK, September 10: The High Court of Sikkim has directed the State Government to constitute special juvenile police unit in all the police stations in Sikkim within the period of four months and also to take necessary steps for proper and adequate implementation of all other relevant provision of the Juvenile Justice (care and protection) Act 2006 without further delay.
The judgment copy also dictates to provide juvenile and children in the state of Sikkim proper care and protection by catering to their development needs and by adopting a child friendly approach in the adjudication and disposition of matters in the best interest of children and for their ultimate rehabilitation as envisaged in the preamble of the act itself.
This landmark judgment came in the public interest litigation filed by Sonam Palden, an advocate at Sikkim High Court in the year 2007.
The petition has been filed to implement the juvenile justice care and protection of children Act 2006 and also to comply the guideline of the Supreme Court given in the case of Sheela Barsey vs. Union of India.
The petitioner also mentions to constitute a proper Juvenile Justice Board with full time Magistrate and two social workers one of whom at least a woman who have an experience in working with the children.
JB Pradhan, the Additional Advocate General representing the State Government has submitted that the state lacks sufficient cases of Juvenile in comparison to other states of India and that working in the four districts with the full time Magistrate would not be justified. “As and when the work load would increase the appointment of full time Magistrate with the regular working days will be considered,” he said.
Dr. Doma T. Bhutia, an advocate for the petitioner while speaking to media said, this is one of the landmark judgments passed by the High Court of Sikkim in the interest of children and the judgment is welcomed by all the Human Rights lawyers across the country. She added that the judgment has been referring as a precedent in the other states.
“If all the provisions of Justice Juvenile Act are implemented in the State thoroughly, Sikkim will be a frontal runner in this matter,” Dr. Bhutia said.

Sikkim Manipal sends 2,000 home after student clashes

Nearly 2,000 students from across the country have been sent back home after clashes between “local students” and those from other States forced the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology at Mazitar in Sikkim to shut down indefinitely.

“A skirmish between two students after a volleyball match on September 6 escalated into a major clash between two student groups on the campus,” Deputy Inspector-General (Range) Sridhar Rao told The Hindu over telephone from Gangtok. The police had to resort to tear-gas and lathi-charge to disperse them, he added.

The situation deteriorated to such an extent that one group put up roadblocks to prevent students from leaving the campus even after the decision to shut it down had been taken, said Mr. Rao.

Nearly 350 students from West Bengal were unable to get back home on Tuesday night, said West Bengal’s Minister for Youth Service Kanti Ganguly.

“I had to get in touch with the Home Secretary (Ardhendu Sen) and Inspector-General of North Bengal (K. L. Tamta) to ensure that they were escorted back safely,” Mr. Ganguly added.

The institute, located near Rangpo on the border between West Bengal and Sikkim and affiliated to Sikkim Manipal University, attracts students from across the country. Twenty per cent seats are reserved for government quota which is available for Sikkimese students only.

“Minor scuffles between local students and those from other States do take place sometimes, but this time the situation went out of hand,” said the Director of the institute, Dr. N.V.S. Reddy.

As the disagreement between the two groups grew violent, the management of the institute asked the police to intervene on September 7, Mr. Rao said, adding that the police were able to bring the situation under control and adequate police personnel were stationed at the campus through the night.

However, the next morning students went on the rampage again, even attacking policemen, at which point the police resorted to lathi-charge and tear-gas. Later in the evening, at a meeting between student representatives and the management, mediated by the police, it was decided to shut down the campus, Mr. Rao said.
(The Hindu)

67 per cent votes cast in Sikkim assembly bypoll

Gangtok, Sept 10 (PTI) Over 67 per cent votes were cast in the bypoll for Namchi-Singhithang assembly seat in Sikkim today amidst tight security.

More than 6,100 of the 9,086 electorate, including Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and his wife Tika Maya, used their franchise, Joint Chief Electoral Officer C P Dhakal said.

Five contestants -- Binod Kumar Rai (SDF), Youva Raj Rai (INC), Arjun Kumar Rai (SGPP), Chandra Prakash Manger and Namgyal Bhutia (both Independent) -- are in the fray for the seat.

The counting of votes will be held at Namchi, district headquarters of South Sikkim, on September 14, Dhakal said.

Himalayan medicine system 'Amchi' to be recognised

\\\

New Delhi, Sep 10 : The Union Cabinet today approved The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2009 for amending the 1970 Act to grant recognition to the System of 'Sowa-Rigpa' commonly known as 'Amchi' which is one of the oldest surviving systems of medicine in the world and is popular in the Himalayan region of India.\
The theory and practices of 'Sowa-Rigpa' are similar to Ayurveda, and also include a few principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

The fundamental text book rgyud-bzi of the system is believed to have been taught by Buddha himself and is closely linked with Buddhist philosophy.

Briefing medipersons about the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the Government had received representations from various quarters to grant recognition to the System of Sowa-Rigpa to enable it get a legal status, for which amendments to section 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970, need to be carried out.

The proposed amendments shall give effect to the inclusion of 'Sowa-Rigpa' under sections 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 thereby recognizing this system legally, she said.

It is expected that the legal recognition of 'Sowa-Rigpa' will lead to the protection and preservation of this ancient system of medicine and will help in its propagation and development. This will also open new vistas leading to collaborative research and scientific validation of the system, besides conservation and protection of the medicinal plants/minerals used in the system.

The recognition of the traditional system will also lead to the setting up of a mechanism to regulate its education and practice, she said .
UNI

SMIT may resume academic activities from Sept 20 next: VC

Gangtok,Sep10:  Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, which was closed down following clashes among two groups of students on Tuesday, today said it may reopen on September 20.

"We are deliberating on resuming academic activities from September 20, but there is another proposal to do so from September 29 after Dussehra festival. The final decision will be taken very soon and the outstation students'will be intimated about the decision," Sikkim Manipal University Vice Chancellor S S Pable said.

Clashes broke out on September 8 between two groups of students divided on local vs outsider lines. Seven students were injured during the clashes at SMIT campus at Majitar, about 40 km from here.

Pable said adequate security measures will be put in place in the varsity to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future. The process of hiring private security guards and retired army personnel will begin soon, he said.

The Vice Chancellor said enquiry was underway and documentary evidence was being collected to identify those students involved in the violence.

North East food processing summit in Gangtok on Sep 22

\GANGTOK, September9: Sikkim Chamber of Commerce (SCC) has appealed all interested stakeholders to participate in the two day summit cum exhibition being organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with Ministry of Food Processing Industries being the co-sponsors.
The two day event ‘Northeast Food Pro 2009’ will begin from September 22.
A press release informs that ICC has asked Sikkim Chamber of Commerce to send a strong delegation comprising of local entrepreneurs, would be entrepreneurs, traders in bakeries, packagers, etc including unemployed who like to take up entrepreneurship and existing industrial units, farmers and horticulturists.
This meet will be addressed by experts on food processing and provides a platform for interaction and knowledge sharing and there will be a round table discussion of representatives of all North East States, the release adds.
Minister for Food Processing Industrie, Subodh K Sahia is scheduled to bless the summit with inaugural address by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
Issues related to project financing, success stories, presentation by NERAMAC, Cold Chain and question answers sessions will be another highlights of the summit.\\\\

Sikkim Congress flays Chamling govt for SMIT clash

Gangtok, Sept 9 : Congress today flayed the Pawan Kumar Chamling government for its failure to handle the law and order situation arising out of the clashes between students of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT).

Chamling's claim that Sikkim is an abode of peace and tranquillity has been "dented irreparably" due to the violence in SMIT campus yesterday in which seven students were injured, Sikkim PCC general secretary K N Lepcha said in a statement.

The incident had communal and regional overtones akin to that of Maharashtra, he alleged adding that he was not at all surprised at the regional politics that was played out in the institute.

The clash reflected Chamling government's outlook of breeding regional sentiments among the people for the sake of political power, he said and urged the people not to be swayed by its communal and divisive policies.

- Agencies

Assam Health Minister Dr. Hemant Biswa Sharma satisfied with SMIT situation

Gangtok, September 9: Assam Health Minister Dr. Hemant Biswa Sharma has expressed his satisfaction over the SMIT clash between the two groups student were found normalcy after the local administration has enterfered into the matter on September 8.
Dr. Sharma reached Sikkim this evening for personally assesses the situation and has taken stock of the situation prevailed from last Monday over the clash between the two groups of students with in the college premises.
He said that the situation is under control and satisfactory over the situation that panic the parents of North-eastern states especially from Assam where large number of students are studying in SMIT adding that the state administration effort to resort the situation normalcy was appreciated.
Dr. Sharma has first met the senior police officials and district administration at Rangpo Tourist Guest House where SP East M S Tuli along with District Collector D. Anandan, SDM Gangtok AB Karki and SDPO Rangpo H P Tewari has briefed on the situation.
The district administration further briefed the condition of injured students that they are admitted in Central Manipal Referral Hospital yesterday.
Later on, Assam minister has visited the engineering college and has discussed with the college administration on the situation.
It is informed that health minister Dr. Sharma has also discussed on the law and order situation and security measures with the CM Ravindran, Director General of Police (DGP) and other top brass for further security measures

No security on Manipal campus, say those leaving Sikkim Tech school

Rangpo & Siliguri Sept. 9: Nearly 400 students of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology came down to the plains today and said they would return only if the authorities promised security on the campus.

The institute, 44km from Gangtok, which had been rocked by clashes between hostel residents and local day scholars over the past few days, became a war zone yesterday with police storming a hostel at one point after being hit by stones.

The tech school was shut down indefinitely after the incident but students could not leave hostels on the campus as local people laid siege to the campus till late last night.

After the siege was lifted, the Sikkim government arranged for buses and taxis to ferry students wanting to leave for Siliguri.

“We have paid a huge amount for our courses and we will return to the SMIT only because of that. The management of the institute will have to ensure our security on the premises,” a first-year student of applied electronics and instrument from Bandel in Hooghly said at the bus stand in Siliguri.

About a third of the institute’s 4,000 boarders are from Bengal.

The students complained that no security had been arranged for them on the way down. “We saw two police constables, carrying sticks, seated in one of the buses that brought the students down. If this is security, we have nothing more to say,” said a first-year mechanical engineering student from Upper Assam.

One of the students stuck in hostel last night had said: “We are being targeted by outsiders.”

The vice-chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University, S.S. Pabla, today said in Gangtok the institute was approaching the police for a permanent picket on the campus. “I thank the police and the state government for defusing the situation. I also appeal to the police to take up the investigations sensitively as the future of students is at stake. We will open the institute soon,” he said.

Many of the boarders stayed back in their hostels.

The clashes had started on Sunday over a foul during a volleyball friendly. Three hostel residents were thrashed allegedly by local students accompanied by outsiders during the brawl, which then assumed a different colour altogether.

In Sikkim, East district superintendent of police M.S. Tuli said 130 taxis and 18 buses had been arranged to ferry the students to Siliguri. “They started vacating the hostels from early in the morning.”

North Bengal inspector-general K.L. Tamta said police stations on the students’ route had been put on alert.

Local students blame police & management for fuelling violence at SMIT

GANGTOK, September 9: The local students studying at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) today said that the inefficiency of the police and the SMIT management has given rise to yesterday’s violence at the college campus.
Addressing a press conference here this evening, the locals pursuing studies at SMIT alleged that the State Government, police and the SMIT management were not too serious to carry out any independent investigations. They also accused the police of lathi-charging and injuring eight students without knowing the actual reason.
Ongden Bhutia, one of the victims told media persons that the situation went out of hand when an Army vehicle tried to take away the students out of the campus.
They also alleged that the SMIT and police did not even try to pacify the situation and bring it under control.
At the same time, the students denied of their involvement in ransacking the computers, instruments and other properties of the college. “We, the local students were out of the campus gate which was locked from inside, so there is no question of vandalizing the college,” Diwas Poudyal, another student added.
The students have further requested the SMIT management to call back their decision of shutting down the college until further notice and resume the studies as usual.
“We have always welcomed the students from outside the state in our institution and wanted to maintain that intimacy,” Sharad Dhamala told media persons.
On the other hand, the All Sikkim Student Union said that the incident was unfortunate and should not have taken place.
Santsosh Shivakoti, the general secretary of the Union has requested the SMIT management to recover all the losses of the students.
It was informed that many students have lost their laptops, mobiles, cash and other valuables during the entire frenzy.
The Union has at the same time appealed the state government and the concerned authorities to resolve the matter at the earliest.

Namchi all set for bye-election today

NAMCHI, September 9: The South District headquarters is all set for the 11-Namchi-Singithang bye-election scheduled for tomorrow.
Addressing a press conference here at his office today, the District Collector South, AK Singh who is also the Returning Officer (RO) said the District is ready to face any kind of untoward incidences if any in the constituency.
He said that the polling materials have been dispatched to the presiding and polling officers and these officers have departed for their respective polling stations who were briefed by the Central Observer and the Returning Officer prior to their departure. Two Sector Magistrates SDM Rabongla Dushyant Pariyar and SDM Namchi Annapoorna Alley have been deputed for the polling stations. They have been specially directed to observe the sensitive booths, the RO informed.
In the meantime, three special in-charges have also been deputed to report any uncommon happenings in these declared sensitive booths. Rural Development Assistants (RDAs) have also been assigned in each polling stations till the end of polling procedure to take care of the shortcomings if in case, Mr. Singh said.
Keeping in mind the prevailing weather condition, the RO informed that Route In-charge along with one special Quick Response Team (QRT) has been deployed in clearing the road blockages as well as to give the updates on road conditions in order to guide the polling parties to reach safely to their respective stations. The Chief Election Officer (CEO) CP Dhakal has been deputed from the Election Commission to this constituency till the end of the election process.
Responding to the plea of nominated candidate of INC regarding the unavailability of polling agents in four stations from his party, the RO said that the Sector Magistrates as well as the micro observers shall be directed to observe the polling procedures in these stations. The control room has been established to address any kind of complaints, queries and other poll related issues. He added that Tinzir and Mickhola have been declared as sensitive polling stations for which the arrangements have been made while for Singtam (South Sikkim) special arrangements have been made due to the distance as it is far off compared to other polling stations. All the schools which fall under Namchi-Singithang will also be closed on the polling day and the voters of the said constituency has been granted holiday.
The DC further informed that the media would be involved as much to maintain transparency in the bye-election and they would also be provided with all the facilities as required.
On the polling day prior to the actual polling time mock poll will be carried in the presence of the party candidates or the polling agents, sector magistrates and the presiding officer, he said. This, he added will be done in order to clear the doubts of the contesting candidates. The mock poll will start from 6am and the candidates will be allowed to cast their mock poll more than ten times for their satisfaction, the RO further said

High level enquiry team formed to take action against guilty students: VC

GANGTOK, September 9: Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) Vice Chancellor Brig. S Pabla today said that strategies like Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) and counseling will be put in place soon to avoid situations in future that occurred yesterday where students engaged in a full scale rioting at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) campus.
“We will talk with officials of Sikkim Police to formulate strategies like SOPs to avoid such situations in future and to stop before it happens”, said the VC in a press meet today evening at the conference hall of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Tadong.
The VC further said that a proper security cell handled by a retired army or police officer could be considered as a safety measure.
“The university will also be holding special counseling sessions with the students and their parents after the students come back”, said Brig. Pabla. He informed that the SMU along with the State authorities have taken a collective decision to suspend classes till further notice and students asked to vacate the hostels and proceed towards their homes as a precautionary measure.
“It is expected that the institute will reopen after the next ten days”, said the VC. He informed that all the students have been send back home with arrangements made for transport and security of the students to reach Siliguri. The faculty members will return back only after ensuring that all students have boarded trains or buses for their respective hometowns.
“The step was taken to cool down tempers since the small scuffle in a volleyball court was blown out of proportion and misrepresented as a clash between ‘local’ and ‘non local’ students”, said Brig. Pabla.
The VC informed that a high level inquiry team has been constituted to probe into yesterday’s incident in an unbiased manner. “We will use evidence available to see who is guilty. We are looking the students as children and treat them as such”, he said indicating a lenient approach.
While downplaying the clash as minor issue that was brought under control ‘immediately’, Brig. Pabla admitted the entire episode could have been avoided if strong measures had been immediately taken after the volleyball incident. “We missed the opportunity to stop the incident”, he said.
Regarding the cases lodged against some SMIT students at Rangpo police station, the VC said that the SMU is of the view that any student should not be dragged into criminal records considering their future.
The VC also claimed that the exemplary coordination between the university, State police and State government in diffusing the situation in a very short time is noteworthy. This cooperation and coordinated action has ensured that there are no serious injuries to any student or staff, he said.
Brig Pabla expressed his gratitude of the SMU to the full cooperation extended by Sikkim Police and State government.

Students flee Sikkim cradle clash

Students board a bus to Siliguri on the SMIT campus around 10am on Wednesday.
Ranchi/Jamshedpur, Sept. 9: A day after the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology was shut after a series of clashes, students from the state have started leaving the campus near Gangtok even as Governor K. Sankaranarayanan directed the chief secretary to talk to the Sikkim government to ensure the safety of boarders from Jharkhand.

At least eight students were injured in the clashes between boarders and day scholars that was triggered on Sunday after a minor dispute during a volleyball match.

On the instructions of the Governor, state chief secretary Shiv Basant spoke to his Sikkim counterpart Jasbir Singh, who said that only six students from Jharkhand sustained minor injuries. All were released from hospital after proper treatment.

At least 90 per cent of boarders at the institute were from Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, Singh confirmed. Around 300 of them belonged to Jharkhand.

According to a Raj Bhavan communiqué, Basant was also told that the situation was under control and instructions had been given to the Singtam district administration to provide security to, and ensure the safety of, all students, including those from Jharkhand.

The hapless students — several of them studying in first semester — who left the campus this morning were now on their way back home.

The Telegraph tracked one of them, Nirmal Kumar (name changed), in New Jalpaiguri.

“Following the dispute in the match, a junior local student called goons from outside and launched an attack on us with hockey sticks and iron rods on Monday afternoon. The situation on the campus was tense though policemen were deputed. This morning, we took a taxi to reach Gangtok, which is 35km from our college,” the son of a Jamshedpur doctor said, relieved after having reached Bengal .

“Other day scholars also stopped the ambulance carrying injured students to hospital. They dragged them out and beat them up again,” Nirmal alleged, adding six of his friends were also coming back to the steel city.

The college administration — which failed to broker peace even after involving the local administration — had arranged two buses for taking the students to Gangtok from the campus at Mazitar.

But the terrified students refused to board the bus as they were told that they could be attacked on their way to Gangtok, said one of them. They later organised a taxi to reach New Jalpaiguri.

Meanwhile, Ramgarh deputy development commissioner Paramjeet Kaur today rushed to Mazitar, as her son Harshpreet Singh, was reportedly injured in the clash. “I will be in a position to talk in detail only after I see my son hail and hearty,” Kaur said.

Former Indian Medical Association vice-president Ajay Kumar Singh supported Kaur saying several of his relatives and friends had admitted their wards in the institute. “Sometimes labourers of the state going to earn their breads come under the attack, sometimes students,” Singh said.

(The Telegraph)

PHOTOS : SIKKIM MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CLASH

We can work together to promote Buddhist circuit: Thai Ambassador

Gangtok, Sep 9 : Krit Kraichitti, Ambassador of Thailand to India today expressed his confidence that Sikkim and Thailand will share deeper cooperation for promoting Buddhist tourism circuit among the South East nations.
Speaking here at the fifth seminar of Indo-Thai historic and cultural linkages at Chitan Bhavan, Mr Karichitti said the Buddhist circuit is being promoted by India and South East countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

'We can work together to promote the Buddhist circuit,' he said, in his opening remarks of the seminar.

Regarding the theme of the seminar, the Thai ambassador said that culture and traditional knowledge can be used as a tool for development as his country is doing.

'We also want to promote ties between Thai film industry and Bollywood,'' he said.

He said by shooting movie and music videos by Indian film industry at Thailand will go a great way in bringing the people of the two nations closer.

Mr Kraichitti also shared his hopes that the Thai film industry will come to shoot in Sikkim which he said was a mystical Shangri-La.

He expressed hopes that the seminar will engage in fruitful deliberations for deeper cooperation between Thailand and India, particularly between Sikkim and Thailand.

Earlier, Sikkim HRD Minister N K Pradhan stressed upon the pilgrimage tourism as the link between the Himalayan state and Thailand.

Sikkim is convinced that pilgrimage tourism will be the driving force to bring the two regions together, he said, underlining the need to promote Buddhist circuit between Sikkim and Thailand.We feel that Thailand has much greater expertise on community development,'' Mr Pradhan said.

He requested the Thai government for exposure trips to the farming community and Self Help Groups of Sikkim to Thailand and sending experts from Thailand to Sikkim so that the state can replicate the success of Thailand.

--UNI

Sikkim Government Transfers

• Shri G. T. Lachungpa recently promoted as Additional Chief Engineer (Mechanical), Energy & Power Department is hereby transferred and posted as Additional Chief Engineer (Mechanical), Transport Department, Jalipool.
• Shri Raju Basnet recently promoted as Additional Chief Engineer (Mechanical), Transport Department, Jalipool is hereby transferred and posted as Additional Chief Engineer (Mechanical), Energy & Power Department.
•  Shri A. Shankar Rao, IPS, Inspector General of Police/Training is hereby transferred & posted as OSD/ Tourism Department, Sikkim House, New Delhi on deputation with immediate effect.
  

Denzong Boys outplay Royal Rangers

GANGTOK, September 8: Charlton Chapman coached Royal Rangers slipped out of the 31st All India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament while local team Denzong Boys slithered into the pre-quarters with a 2-0 win.

Dry cleaners in the town should be raising their eyebrows as the players marched off the pitch after the final whistle soiled with dark mud paste from their studs to their hair.

Free flowing game was also disrupted as the ball got struck around some slushy patches near the midfield of the pitch forcing the players to go for the air option. It was one such wicked cross from right winger Dinesh Thapa which was sneaked into the net by captain KC Dadul for the first goal to Denzong Boys in the 11th minute.

As players slipped, slithered and sunk into the slushy patches of the field, scoring opportunities for the Delhi team were very few which was easily bundled out by the Denzong defense.

Nigerian Tarus T Manneah of Denzong Boys livened up the drab game in the second half with his gazelle gallops, stepovers, flicks and other forms of showmanship. His showmanship hit a high after he consolidated the lead with a quality finish in the 62nd minute.
Having collected the ball from outside the box, Manneh swiftly dismissed two defenders and sent the Royal Rangers goalie towards Ranka while lobbing the ball into the opposite side with the outside of his right boot for his second goal of the tournament.
Manneh could have added another goal but his fierce shot rebounded off the post.
With today’s easy victory, Denzong Boys has entered the pre-quarters of the tournament and faces a strong Punjab Police side on September 11.

JNV Ravangla observes World Literacy Day

Ravangla ,Sep8 : World Literacy Day was observed Tuesday with the message of ‘Ignorance to Bliss’ among the educationally and economically deprived sections of society whose lives languish in darkness of ignorance. A Literacy Rally on the day, led by Vidyalaya Principal Dr. A.N.Rai, was flagged off by the Chief Guest Mr. P.K.Rai, B.D.O, Ravangla, and Mr. I.S.Singh, Deputy Director, Horticulture Ravangla Sub Diviosion.
This rally was taken to 14 Mile, Sada Kewizing Basti where a large number of uneducated villagers were taught by students and staff members of the Vidyalaya.
Principal Dr. A.N.Rai distributed note books, pen and pencils among them with the appeal that they would try to dispel the stigma of darkness from their lives by at least acquiring the three R’s. so that they are not deprived of their due rights and privileges.
Panchyat Members assured the Vidyalaya administration about their intent to spread literacy among poor and downtrodden families.

PIC at Rhenock update

Rhenock,Sep8 : National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is one of the most successful programme that is being implemented in rural areas said BDO, Rhenock, Yadav K Sharma. Panchayats in Rhenock block are already aware of the programme that has been implemented through out the country.
Addressing the gathering on the second day of the PIC programme at Rhenock, Mr. Sharma said a job card holder is entitled to 100 days work in a year but the holder must apply for getting the work. He said no work will be taken under NREGA unless and until it is passed in the Gram Sabha.
Speaking on Total Sanitation Programme Mr. Sharma said it is a matter of pride that Sikkim has received the Nirmal Rajya Puruskar in the country. However, he added, it is important that the habit of having a household toilet should be sustained. Sanitation does not only mean having a toilet but also keeping the surrounding and environment clean, he noted.
Divisional Engineer, RMDD, Bhanu Sharma also addressed the gathering on PMGSY and National Rural Drinking Water Programme.
(PIB)

Sikkim Speaker visits Syari

Gangtok,Sep8 : The tourism sector has been galloping at an unprecedented growth rate. The entire tourism policy of the Government is now driven by the mantra of making Sikkim the number one Eco-tourism destination in India. With this objective in mind, the State Government has made special efforts to develop tourist villages, trekking routes, adventure activities, bio-diversity parks, hotels and cultural centers in the state.
To develop and promote tourism in 23 Syari constituency, the State Assembly Speaker Mr. K.T. Gyaltsen, who is also the Area MLA, visited his constituency on September 7. Secretary, tourism, Mr. S.B.S. Bhadauria, senior government officials and local Panchayats accompanied him. The Speaker started his visit from Chandmari where he first visited the Panch Nageshwari Shyivalaya there. Renovation, protective walls and proper fencing of the Mandir were the demands of the local people which he assured he will look into. Next, he visited Maney Khola where he asked the Secretary Tourism to develop falls, cafeteria and waiting sheds for tourist attraction. Besides, he said that the Chandmari-Bhusuk road needs to be developed and maintained as this road will also solve the problem of an alternate highway to Pakyong.
Later in the evening, the Speaker visited the Shiv Mandir at the bank of river Bhusuk, lower Syari.
He advised the Secretary to construct a suspension bridge over Bhusuk river. He rounded off his visit by offering prayers at Nandok Maney Lhakhang Gumpa where he suggested to the officials to construct the village footpath. (IPR)

SDF party is terrorizing voters: Bhandari

GANGTOK, September 8: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) president Nar Bahadur Bhandari today accused the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party of terrorizing the voters of Namchi-Singithang constituency.
In a letter to the DGP, Mr. Bhandari requested the police to ensure that democratic rights of the voters who are going to exercise their political rights are not eroded at any cost.
“It is observed during the election campaign of the Indian National Congress that the people are afraid to come out of their homes and listen to the speeches of INC. Their fears were expressed through confidential calls made to the leaders of INC, who are camping at Namchi”, said Mr. Bhandari.

Addressing a press meet today at SPCC head office here at Development Area, Mr. Bhandari alleged SDF of using its legislatures, panchayats and government officials for strong arm tactics. The SDF party is terrorizing the voters, he said.
Commenting on the upcoming bye-polls, Mr. Bhandari dared the SDF party to vacate the Namchi-Singithang seat to the opposition if the ruling front believes in democracy. The SDF party should not be so serious for one single seat as they have already 31 legislatures in the Assembly, he said.
The SPCC president also accused the SDF candidate Binod Rai of being a poor choice by the ruling party.
Accusing the SDF government of delaying the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission, the SPCC president demanded that the employees must get their dearness allowances before Dasai. He also slammed the ruling front on a host of issues including unemployment, inflation, corruption and casteism

CM wraps up SDF campaign for Sikkim bypoll

Namchi, Sep8 : “My heart will remain with the people of Namchi-Singithang whom I have served since March 1985 and with whom I have developed a lasting bond of love which will not fade even though I have chosen the Poklok-Kamrang constituency leaving my earlier one to Binod Rai”. This was said by SDF President and Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling while addressing a public meeting at Baichung Stadium here on September 8 which marked the end of SDF campaign for the ensuing bye election in Namchi-Singithang constituency.
He said Binod Rai is given the SDF party nomination for the Namchi-Singithang bye election as he has worked for the party from the beginning and he is as senior a party worker as GM Gurung, KN Rai and DD Bhutia, among others. By giving nomination SDF party has done justice to Binod Rai who has been sincerely working for party, Chief Minister said, adding, chances are given to new candidates to refresh the party and its Government.
Turning to opposition parties the Chief Minister said, there are some working to misguide the poor people of Sikkim in the name of cast, religion and others things and trying to grab power.
He cautioned the people saying, “if the Government power slips from the SDF and goes to such elements, it will definitely bring back the ‘Goonda Raj’ in Sikkim”. He urged the people to never be misled and join hands with to fulfill the vision of SDF Government.
Chief Minister announced that the Government has planned to invest Rs.1 lakh crores in different sectors of the State and urged the people of Sikkim to be prepared to take advantages from every sector.
The mammoth meeting was also addressed by the candidate Binod Rai, among others. Mr. Rai thanked the party President and reiterated his commitment to work for his beloved people without fail.

Heliport Tourism in Sikkim

Gangtok,September 09 :With a view to promote tourist destinations in hilly and remote areas of the country, the Ministry of Tourism has also issued guidelines to extend financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for construction of heliports under the Scheme of Product/ Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits.

The projects for construction of heliports will have to conform to the technical requirements prescribed by the Director General of Civil Aviation. Financial assistance will be provided for construction of heliports as a component of destination development projects. The upper limit of financial assistance for heliports has been fixed at Rs. 75 lakhs.

Two projects for construction of heliports at Mangan and Geetang Khola in Sikkim have also been sanctioned under this new initiative of the Ministry of Tourism. Both the projects are likely to be completed within two years.

For the first time any where in the country, the State of Sikkim has been granted Central Financial Assistance for two destination projects that include development of Heliport viz. Destination Development of Mangan Tourist Axis including Heliport in North Sikkim for Rs. 3.29 crore and Destination Development of Geetang Khola waterfall including Heliport in West Sikkim for Rs. 3.25 crore. These would facilitate easy access to the destination mentioned above which are of immense tourism potential, where the tourists are otherwise discouraged due to long and taxing travel through hilly roads.

Ø Mangan Tourist Axis including Heliport in North Sikkim

The Mangan Tourist Axis offers multiple options for the visitors as it envelops many places that attract the interest of tourists, scholars and nature lovers. The lower altitude zone showcase the beautiful green countryside setting with River Teesta meandering between the mountains whereas the higher altitude takes one to the snowy peaks, vast glaciers and rugged hills. There are places still unexplored and amazing splendors outside the scale of human intervention that displays the true color of Mother Nature.

Ø Destination Development of Geetang Khola waterfall including Heliport in West Sikkim

Geetang Khola waterfall is located amidst the very serene environs with awe-inspiring natural beauty and razor-edged cliffs. The existence of a voluminous waterfall cascading down the mountain about 300 feet high makes this place more significant in term of tourist interest. A large numbers of tourists also visit this place to witness the variety of rhododendrons that blossoms during April to May. This is a stopover tourist spot for visitors to onward destinations like Soreng, Daramdin, Hilley and Barsey. The place Hilley where the Heliport has been proposed is the Base camp for Barsay Rhododendron Park, which is frequented by trekkers and nature lovers.

Baichung Bhutia-Mohun Bagan case hearing on Sunday

NEW DELHI - Former additional solicitor general Amrendra Sharan said Tuesday that he would again hear both the versions Sunday to solve the ongoing tussle between national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Mohun Bagan.

Sharan said that both the parties presented their case Tuesday and will again file a fresh appeal.

While both Bhaichung and his lawyer Usha Nath Banerjee were present Tuesday, Mohun Bagan officials skipped the meeting but were represented by their lawyers.

“Both the parties have presented their case. I have to study it again,” said Sharan.

The Kolkata club has suspended Bhaichung for six months for missing an exhibition match and some of the team’s practice sessions last season.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel said that since both parties are not willing to climb down, the national body was left with no option but to take a legal opinion.

cycling expedition at Nathu-la

Gangtok: The Blazing Bofors cycling expedition was flagged off from Nathu-la in East Sikkim on September 4.The team, comprising two officers, two junior commissioned officers and 12 Dauntless Khalsas of a medium regiment under the Black Cat Division, will pedal 838km in 27 days — of which 224km is in the hilly terrain of Dokala, Gyemochen, Kupup and Rangpo in Sikkim — before reaching the Eastern Command Headquarters at Fort William in Calcutta on September 30.

Maj. Gen. R.S. Chopra, the general-officer-commanding of the Black Cat Division who flagged off the expedition, hailed the efforts of the team members. He said such exercise would help the participants inculcate in themselves the spirit of adventure, camaraderie and leadership qualities.

The adventure to commemorate the 182nd Gunners Day will test physical and mental toughness of the participants as it involves week-long cycling and trekking in the hilly terrain, which has a number of peaks above 14,500ft.

Manipal shuts down after clash for 10 days

Gangtok, Sept. 8: The Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology has been shut down till further orders after a series of clashes between boarders and day scholars since Sunday culminated into a raging brick battle this morning, forcing police to burst tear-gas shells and conduct a lathi-charge on the campus.

Eight students were injured. All of them were released from Singtam District Hospital after first aid.

The police stormed a boys’ hostel this morning after a constable was injured by a brick missile hurled from one of them, sources said. The SMIT authorities said arrangements would be made for those wanting to leave the hostels. Those unwilling can stay back.

Throughout the day a 300-strong mob blocked the roads leading out of the campus, making it impossible to shift the boarders — 4,000 of them — from the two boys’ and one girls’ hostel, the police said. They said if needed the transfer of the boarders would be done with the help of the army. However, the army has not been called yet. Personnel of the Sikkim police, Sikkim Armed Police and the Indian Reserve Battalion have been deployed.

Some of the injured students at the Singtam district hospital.

A fourth year BTech student of mechanical engineering and a resident of Calcutta’s Lake Gardens, not wanting to be named, said: “We have been told that we will be escorted to Siliguri at 4.30am tomorrow by the army. I have been in touch with my parents and I will return to Calcutta either by flight or take a train. We had examinations till September 24, but now as the institute is shut for the next few days we will return only after Durga Puja.” The student said around 30 per cent of the boarders is from Bengal.

Bengal home secretary Ardhendu Sen said if the SMIT authorities want the Bengal government’s help to evacuate students from the state, it would be extended.

“However, we have not received any such proposal till now from them. If students from Bengal face any problems, we are there to help them,” Sen told The Telegraph in Calcutta.

Senior police officers and S.S. Pabla, the vice-chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University to which the SMIT is affiliated, were busy negotiating with the students to restore normality on the campus, 44km from here at Mazitar near the Bengal-Sikkim border town of Rangpo.

According to senior students of the SMIT, trouble first broke out on Sunday afternoon over a volleyball match being held as part Swasmitnam, an inter-departmental festival. The fight started with a squabble between a boarder and a day scholar over a foul committed in the match.

“It was a trivial issue, but soon snowballed. Three students, Ujjwal Kumar, Jitender and Gautam Jha, were beaten up by day scholars (on Sunday) who had brought in outsiders. The police instead of taking the three boys to the hospital for treatment, took them to Rangpo police station,” a fourth year student of the electrical and electronics department alleged.

He blamed hostel superintendent Kamal Thakur, and chief warden A.C. Mishra for not taking care of the injured students. “We are being targeted by outsiders and the authorities are blind to this,” the student said.

There was violence last night as well when a mob stormed the campus and another clash broke out.

The police had claimed the situation was under control, but there was another brick battle at 8am today.

A senior officer of the state armed police said last night a battalion of 115 policemen was posted on the campus and more forces were deployed after the morning’s violence.

A constable who was injured in the brick battle

“At present we are negotiating with the students and we do not want to use force on them. The institute will be shut till further orders. The trouble started with an altercation between a local boy (day scholar) and a boarder over a friendly volleyball match,” said N. Sridhar Rao, the deputy inspector-general (range) who is camping on the campus. The superintendent of police of East Sikkim, M.S. Tuli, is also there.

An officer said the local boys have been demanding that 20 of the boarders involved in the clash be identified and rusticated. “Eight students from both sides have been injured,” the officer said.

Sikkim human resource development secretary R. Telang said the situation was being monitored. “We will intervene only if the SMIT authorities fail to restore normality,” Telang said.

Vice-chancellor Pabla said the institute would be shut till further orders. “But it is likely to open within 10 days. An inquiry will be conducted against all involved in the incident.”