SHRP dissolves Central Executive Committee

We support Gorkhaland statehood demand: AD Subba
GANGTOK, November 24: The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) Party chief Dr. AD Subba yesterday announced that an adhoc Central Action Plan Committee of the party has been formed after dissolving the Central Committee.
Addressing the first press conference held here yesterday after its dismal performance in the last general election, Dr. Subba said, the adhoc committee has top ten groups in which five members are there.
The adhoc body consists of Chopel Bhutia, Laden Lepcha, Gopal Chettri, MB Rai, Gyalpo Tamang, LM Subba, Nindey Sherpa, KB Gurung, Bhim Shila Rai, AT Bhutia, OP Bista, PT Lepcha, Bhim Keysi, Laxmi Subba, TT Bhutia, Tara Shesthra, Sumitra Rai, TB Thatal, Bishnu Pradhan, SR Subba and SP Sharma.
Dr. Subba also expressed support for the demand of separate statehood of Gorkhaland. He pointed out that the people of Darjeeling Hills were fighting for their motherland and nothing else.
At the same time, the SHRP leader lambasted on the SDF government for keeping mum over the Gorkhaland issue. He further requested the political leaders of Darjeeling not to fight with each other but to unite and fight together for Gorkhaland.
SHRP president further said that the party will be holding weekly press conferences.
Tara Shesthra, Bhim Keysi, PT Lepcha and Bishnu Pradhan were also present in the conference

Sikkim party SHRP likely to merge with Sikkim Congress

GANGTOK, 29 JULY: Setting aside ideological differences, the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party, a Sikkim-based regional outfit is likely to merge into the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Party. The state Congress sources informed that the SHRP had already submitted a memorandum to the Congress High Command over the merger proposal and it was under consideration. The merger is likely to take place in the presence of the AICC member in charge of Sikkim Mr Luizinho Faleiro who is camping now in Gangtok. When asked to comment on the matter, the state Congress president Mr Nar Bahadur Bhandari said that the issue lay with the SHRP leadership. The Congress and the SHRP were mauled at the hands of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front in the last Parliamentary elections. Viewed against this backdrop, the merger move might be construed as an attempt by the Opposition to put forward a challenge to the ruling party. Earlier in February 2009, three national parties, namely the Congress, BJP and CPI (M) and two regional parties, Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party and the SHRP formed the United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance. But it failed to make any dent into the SDF's support base in the state as was evident from the election outcome

SHRP : SDF SHOULD STICK TO ITS WORDS OF NOT TAKING IN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

GANGTOK, November 05: The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) party has said that the recent victory of the Independent candidates in the Panchayat poll has faced a threat from the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party.
A press release issued by the party states that since the Chief Minster had earlier announced not to take in the independent candidates in its fold, the SHRP maintains that the party president should stick to his words.
The release further states that the party president should also give equal development and benefits to the people throughout the State through all the victorious Panchayats irrespective of Independent or party candidates.
“The government too failed to train the new voters on how to vote through electronic voting machine,” the release adds

SIKKIM RECORDS MORE THAN 80 PERCENT VOTER TURNOUT IN RURAL POLL

GANGTOK, October 26: The Gram and Zilla Panchayat elections were conducted smoothly and peacefully all over the State today.
The polling process started from 8 am after the polling stations were opened. Electronic Voting Machines were used for the first time ever in the civil polls in Sikkim. An estimated 1.41 lakh electorate cast their franchise today to decide the fate of 835 candidates in the fray for 47 Zilla Panchayat and 304 gram Panchayat seats amid tight security arrangements.
No poll rigging or disturbances were reported from any polling booths across the State.
The poll fever was missing from the Capital and its surrounding areas as it has been declared as Municipal Area for which the voting will be held next year in January.
The State Election Commission had set up 524 polling stations across the four Districts and deployed 3144 polling personnel and 1048 policemen to conduct free and fair polls for 47 Zilla Panchayat seats out of a total of 93 seats of which 45 candidates have been elected unopposed pending a formal announcement after the conclusion of polls. With regard to the gram Panchayat polls, a total of 711 candidates are contesting 304 seats out of 889 of which 585 candidates have been elected unopposed pending an official announcement.
Today’s polls saw a huge turnout of women voters, perhaps bolstered by the 40 per cent reservation accorded to them in the Panchayat by the State Government.
“We enjoy 40 per cent reservation as compared to women of other States in the country, so what can be more exhilarating and encouraging than this,” Devika Chettri, a female voter from Aho Yangtham Ward under Losing Pacheykhani constituency, said while talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS.
CP Dewan, State Election Commissioner informed that EVM malfunctions were reported from Lower Tintek (East Sikkim), Perbing, Melli Gonpa, Kaetang (South Sikkim) and Kaluk in West Sikkim. “Although no such technical snags were reported from North District, the default EVM Machines were replaced immediately in other three Districts,” Mr. Dewan informed.
Lower Lingzya in North Sikkim was recorded as the ward with least voters. The ward had only 48 voters while Melli Ward of South Sikkim recorded maximum voters with 1,179 voters.
As per the information received from the State Election Commission, there were a total of 841 contesting candidates both for Gram as well as for Zilla Panchayats. For the Gram Panchayat the election were held in 304 wards for 717 contesting candidates. Meanwhile for 47 Zilla Panchayat seats there were 124 candidates contesting.
The latest data reveals 575 Gram Panchayat and 46 Zilla Panchayats as uncontested winners including one independent Panchayat candidate and the rest are all SDF party candidates.
Interestingly, this year’s rural poll also saw the participation of Opposition parties such as the Sikkim Pradesh Congress and Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party. The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) and Sikkim State Bharatiya Janata Party boycotted the elections. On the other hand, although the SDF party has already secured 66% win uncontested the. Most the independent candidates who withdrew their nominations unofficially were also seen busy campaigning and supporting the ruling party candidates.
The voting ended at 4 pm in the evening after which the EVM machines were sealed in front of the contesting candidates and were sent to the Strong Rooms under the thorough vigil and supervision of the Police.
The counting of the votes will be held on October 29 from 8 am at Indoor Gymnasium Hall for the East District. For other three Districts the counting will be held at Indoor Gymnasium Hall (Namchi), Zilla Bhawan, Gyalshing and Zilla Bhawan, Mangan. The election for Nabey Shotak ward under Kabi Tingda constituency will be held on November 24. No nominations were made from the said ward earlier.
Likewise, the selection of Adyakshas and Up-Adyakshas from Zilla Panchayats will be held on November 5. Meanwhile the selection of Sabhapati, Upa-sabhapati and Sachiv will be on November 6 for Gram Panchayat Units.
However, till the filing of this report the total voting turn in the State as per official statement was 90 per cent.
In the South District, the public voted for 106 wards for the Gram Panchayat representatives in which a total of 265 candidates were in the fray. The fates of 38 candidates in 13 Zilla Panchayat Territorial Constituencies in 183 polling booths were also sealed today in the South District.
In both the Gram and Zilla Panchayats, the Independent candidates in fray were more in comparison to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front party and other Opposition parties in other three Districts.
The Electronic Voting Machines will be reaching to Namchi District headquarters under the tight security by tonight today. Although the official statement is yet to come, observers hint that more than 80 per cent votes were polled today in the South District.
In the West District, out of the nine constituencies, all the candidates from two constituencies of Chakung and Hee-Bermiok were declared uncontested. In the remaining seven constituencies, people voted for eight Zilla Panchayats and 35 Gram Panchayat Units.
There were seven GPUs in Yoksam, six from Tashiding, six from Gyalshing, three from Daramdin, five from Soreng and nine from Rinchepong. In the Zilla Panchayats, there were one each from Dentam and Rinchenpong and two each from Tashiding, Daramdin and Soreng.

Sikkim gears up for smooth Panchayat Poll

Gangtok: After the scrutiny of nomination and withdrawal of candidature, the State Election Commission has issued a final list of candidates and as per it, 67% panchayat are uncontested.In the West District, out of the total 283 GPU wards, 245 were uncontested and and the election for 38 GPU wards will be held. In the South District, out of 257 GPU wards, 151 declared uncontested and leaving 106 on the fray. Whereas in the East District, the total number of GPU wards are 243 out of which 121 were uncontested and election will be held for 122 GPU wards. And in the North District, out of 106 GPU wards, 68 are uncontested and 38 GPU will contest for elections.Similarly, in the Zilla Panchayat, out of the 25 ZPs in West district, 17 were uncontested and elections will be held for 8 ZPs. In the South District, out of 23 Zilla Panchayat, 10 were uncontested and elections will be held for 13 ZPs. While in the East District, out of 27 ZPs, 9 remained uncontested and 17 ZPs will contest the election and 1 Zilla Panchayat, remains vacant. And in the north district out of the total 18 ZPs, 9 remains uncontested while elections will be held for 9 ZPs.Accordingly, a meeting to review the arrangements for Panchayat Election, 2007 was held on October 8 in the Conference Hall of Rural Management & Development Department, Tashiling Secretariat Gangtok under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim. The meeting was attended by Director General of Police, Principal Secretary, Home Department,Commissioner-cum -Secretary, Rural Management & Development Department, Secretary, State Election Commission, all District Collectors (who are also the Returning Officer for the Panchayat Election), all District Superintendents of Police and other officials of Police, Home & State Election Commission.The meeting reviewed action taken by all concerned and confirmed all actions required to be taken as per Law/State Election Commission guidelines including arrangements for police and other man-power requirements for ensuring a free, fair and smooth poll. The meeting also reviewed the over-all law & order situation, likely trouble spots and other problem areas.The Chief Secretary expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements made and directed that all actions of the authorities connected with Panchayat Election should be transparent and as per law and guidelines issued by the State Election Commission, according to a press release received from the Home Department.

Sikkim Opp cries foul again

GANGTOK, Oct. 10: The four Opposition parties of the state ~ Congress, BJP, CPI-M and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad ~ have requested the State Election Commission to foil the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front's alleged bid to rig the upcoming panchayat polls in the state. The Opposition parties, meanwhile, have appreciated the Election Commission's decision to replace the returning officer of Soreng sub-division in West Sikkim during filing of nomination papers. "We believe that by doing so the EC has proved its credibility. We expect the EC officials to take action on several representations submitted by the Opposition parties and individuals," a letter sent to the EC by the Opposition parties, read. The Opposition leaders have suggested the EC to strictly implement the election code of conduct. "We have noticed that still many ministers, MLAs, chairpersons and advisors are using government vehicles for electioneering," they said. The Opposition parties have urged the EC to prevent the SDF from defacing buildings, walls and trees in the name of electioneering. They have also criticised the SDF for publicising the recent 40 per cent seat allotment to women in the panchayat polls through banners. The Opposition leaders have urged the EC to remove such banners.

N.B.Bhandari : Supporters Of Opposition Panchayat Candidates Face Harassment, Abuse

Gangtok, October3: The four opposition parties leaders led by SPCC president NarBahadur Bhandari informed that opposition candidates say they have been routinely stopped and harassed by the authorities, and have sometimes threatened by members of Sikkim Democratic Front for participating in the grass root elections in state scheduled to be held on October26. We will use the elections -- which are our constitutional right -- to conduct a broad political campaign. We hope to win this campaign."

The answer, he believes, is to take the message direct to the people -- by knocking on their doors.

But opposition activists find themselves harassed by the ruling party members told Tara Shrestha of SHRP as SDF wants opposition to withdraw their candidates from panchayat elections.

A delegation led by NarBahadur Bhandari and other senior opposition leaders has met Sikkim Election Commissioner as well as top brass of Sikkim police alleging obstruction and also to record their protests against unfair methods of SDF party.

SHRP TO OBSERVE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT FROM GANDHI JAYANTI

GANGTOK, October 01: A meeting of the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) was held today under the chairmanship of its working President TR Chettri.
The meeting came up with a decision to observe the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a grand manner.
The Gandhi Jayanti celebrations will witness participation of party workers from the women and youth wings in Gangtok.
A press release also states that the party will be observing a non-cooperation movement and revolution throughout the month of October against the government’s “act of monopoly.”
Likewise, a meeting of the party was held at Daramdin under the chairmanship of its general secretary Pushkar Subba. The party has alleged that despite the implementation of the code of conduct in the State, Block Officer of Forest Department, Easter Lepcha is involved in an election campaign for the upcoming Panchayt election.
Stating that the State Election Commission is aware of the BOs involvement in politics, the party alleges that the SEC has failed to take necessary action.

BJP & SHRP to boycott Panchayat polls in Sikkim

GANGTOK, Oct. 1: The BJP and the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, a local organisation, have decided to boycott the forthcoming Sikkim panchayat polls. Alleging inappropriate time schedule and whimsical seat reservation against the state government, the general secretary of the SHRP, Mr Tara Shrestha, said: "We have boycotted the panchayat polls as a protest against the whimsical seat reservation. We shall hold a rally in front of the Gandhi statue tomorrow and start non-cooperation movement from 3 October," he added. The BJP claimed that it was fighting for separate seat reservation for the Limboo, Tamang, Lepcha and Bhutia communities and had filed a case in the Supreme Court in support of its demand. "We have boycotted the panchayat polls but would be supporting the Independent candidates, some of who are from this party," said the BJP Sikkim state secretary Mr HR Pradhan. There is much enthusiasm among the other political organisations about contesting the polls. "The Congress is contesting the polls and campaign for the party candidates has already begun," said Mr Nar Bahadur Bhandari the former chief minister and president of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee. "We would contest the polls but we are not yet certain about how many candidates we are fielding." said Mr Anjan Upadhaya of the CPI-M. The ruling SDF party leader, Mr BB Gooroong, however, said: "Our candidates have already filed the nominations and our party is fully geared for the polls. We are now concentrating on poll campaign.”

Sikkim Opposition Parties for delay in civic body elections

Gangtok, Sept14:Sikkim Democratic Front President and Sikkim Chief Minister addresses all Sikkim Panchayat Sammelan at indoor Palzor Stadium meeting in Gangtok on Wednesday, virtually kicking off the party’s campaign for the forthcoming civic body elections in Sikkim . However, A delegation of the the mainstream opposition political parties led by SPCC president Nar Bahadur Bhandari has met State Election Commissioner and submitted an appeal seeking delay in notifying the the forthcoming elections to the local bodies in Sikkim in view of present situation of state due to landslides,rain,road blockade which has disrupted everyday life of common man due to shortage of essential items and needs across the Sikkim.

The election commissioner has assured to look into their demands and decide on the issue after taking everything into consideration in a day or two .

The delegation also included State BJP president H.R.Pradhan,SHRP President Dr.A.D.Subba, Sikkim Sangram Parishad President RajendraUpraedi.

Witness turns out to be killer of Mahesh Subba

Gangtok, Sept. 5: A murder witness who committed suicide in a village near Daramdin, West Sikkim, last week was in fact one of the killers, police said.
The law enforcers have also ruled out any foul play in the suicide of Ruphang Subba, who was found hanging from a tree near his village on August 31, a day after he named three men as the murderers of his nephew Mahesh Subba in Daramdin on July 13.
“Ruphang was driven to suicide by his guilt and the knowledge that he, too, would be arrested soon,” said deputy inspector-general of police (range) Akshay Sachdeva.
The accused trio, Domahang Subba, Ram Bahadur Subba and Rajesh Subba, were picked up the day Ruphang disclosed their names. Domahang’s brother Monahang Subba had been arrested earlier.
It has now emerged that Monahang, Domahang, Ram Bahadur, Rajesh and Ruphang had ganged up and attacked Mahesh on July 13. The fatal stab with a khukuri, though, was delivered by Monahang.
The victim and his attackers were related to each other. On July 13, Mahesh had allegedly abused his would-be murderers, which prompted the attack.
“The three arrested last week were today sent to the Namchi jail in South Sikkim to be kept in judicial custody,” Sachdeva added. Monahang is already in jail custody.
Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, a regional party, had claimed that Mahesh was its member and that he was a victim of political murder. “We did not find any political angle to the case,” said Sachdeva.

Mahesh Subba Murder witness dead

Gangtok, Sept. 2: A murder witness has been found hanging from a tree at a village in West Sikkim, a day after he spilled the names of the killers to police.
The law enforcers are treating it as a case of suicide, though an investigation is on. The relatives of the dead man, on the other hand, suspect foul play and claim that the body bore injury marks.
The body of Rupa Hang Subba, 46, was found in a forest, 5km from his home at Luingkhim near Daramdin in West Sikkim yesterday. On Friday, he had told the police that he was a witness to the murder of his nephew Mahesh Subba in Daramdin on July 13 and named Ram Bahadur Subba, Rajesh Subba, Hem Kumar Subba and Domahang Subba as the killers.
All four accused were arrested on the same day. and interrogated by the police.
Mahesh used to be a supporter of the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, a regional outfit.
Following his murder, the police arrested one of his cousins. His party, however, has always claimed that it was a political murder. The Himali leaders also accused the police of not conducting a detailed investigation into the matter.
Recently, the party demanded that those responsible for the murder of Mahesh be brought to book.

SHRP Delegation Meets Incoming Sikkim Governor Sudarshan Agarwal

Gangtok: A delegation of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad led by its President Dr.A.D.Subba met Uttarakhand Governor Sudarshan Agarwal who has been appointed as Sikkim Governor from October 2007 onwards for the remainder of his term succeeding V Rama Rao, whose term of office expires on October 24.

The SHRP delegation apprised the incoming governor for Sikkim about existing political environment in the state and informed of hopes and aspirations it has built upon on appointment of Shri Agarwal as new governor of Sikkim.

Sikkim Opposition Parties Sore Over 'ACT' action

Dismay over ACT pause

Gangtok/Kalimpong, Aug. 23: The Opposition in Sikkim has expressed disappointment at not being consulted by Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) before calling off the indefinite hunger strike.
“We are in no position to say as to what should be done considering the deteriorating health condition of the satyagrahis. Our action will be confined to see that the right as provided by the democracy is not trampled upon. Though we appreciate the cause for which your organisation has come forward we do not wish to become a part of the action of NGOs like yours for political gains,” reads the letter written to ACT president Athup Lepcha.
The five-page letter has been signed by Sikkim Congress chief Nar Bahadur Bhandari, BJP president H.R. Pradhan, CPM state secretariat member P.P. Koirala and general secretary of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Tara Shrestha. It also lists the stand taken by the Opposition during the movement including courting arrests, the burning of effigies and rallies.
ACT members Dawa T. Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso had called off the fast on Tuesday after abstaining from oral intake of food for 63 days. The move came after several appeals by Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling to call off the fast and provide a congenial atmosphere for talks.
ACT is opposing the proposed construction of seven mega hydel power projects in the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu in North Sikkim on religious and environmental grounds. The protests, that have spanned over the last two months, have been actively supported by the opposition parties and some NGOs.
In Kalimpong, 10 Lepcha men today began an indefinite relay hunger strike under the banner of Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA) at Tricone Park to protest the “desecration” of Dzongu.
The ILTA protest has been organised to express solidarity with the ACT movement.
ILTA president L.S. Tamsang said the hunger strike will continue till the hydel projects in Dzongu are scrapped. “We have no objection to hydel power projects. In fact, they are welcome to execute the project elsewhere on the Teesta, but not in Dzongu.”
Explaining the significance of Dzongu, Tamsang said everything Lepcha, from their traditional brew to the marriage ritual, originate there.
“In fact, for us there is no heaven and hell. When we die, our soul returns to Dzongu,” he said.

SIKKIM OPPOSITION PARTIES SEEKS CORRECTION IN VOTER'S LIST

OPPOSITION PARTIES POINT OUT 'DISCREPANCIES' IN SIKKIM VOTERS LIST

GANGTOK, August 22: The Opposition parties in the State has asked the State Government to immediately correct the discrepancies in the delimitation of Panchayat and Municipality wards before the finalisation of the Panchayat and Municipality voters list.
In a press release signed by Nar Bahadur Bhandari, President, Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee, HR Pradhan, President, State Bharatiya Janata Party and Tara Shrestha, General Secretary, Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, the Opposition have said that the demarcation/delimitation of the wards should be made such that the variation in the population or voters does not differ by a margin of 10% between the wards in all the Gram Panchayat, Municipality Corporation, Municipality Council and Nagar Panchayats as necessitated by the situation. “In any case the voters of Nagar Panchayat is not expected to be lower than of a Gram Panchayat as the former is urban area and the latter a rural area.”
As citied in the release, in the Gangtok Municipal Corporation 01, Bojoghari has 288 voters, 04- Rongynek has 1220 voters, 09-Sichey has 6130 voters and Gangtok B has 7251 voters and Gangtok A has 8087 voters, where in the Opposition leaders has stated that these variations are huge and cannot be accepted.
The release has cited several other examples, including 03-West Padam – 3 Sakhu has 330 votes and 6-Swaney has 20 voters, Pakyong Nagar Panchayat 2 – Dikling-Tsalamthang has 902 voters and 4-Naibutar has 5 voters, Singtam Municipal Council 4 – Lal Bazaar has 1369 voters and 6 – Lower Namphing has 366 voters, Jorethang-Naya Bazar Municipal Council 1–Lalshore has 72 votes and 5-Mazigoan has 1244 votes, Gyalshing 6 – Lower Umchung (507 votes), 31-Sukdung, Kamling 1 – Rehsi Tinzerbong has 527 voters.
The release also shows variations like Naibutar under Pakyong Nagar Panchayat with only 5 votes and Panchey-Samsing with 84 votes thus presenting that the number of votes is less than the votes of a gram Panchayat. It goes on to argue that the 32-Martam Nazitam 2-Upper Martam has as high as 811 votes.
Stating that Constitution on India does not speak of bifurcation, the party heads have demanded that the reservation of Backward Classes if made as OBC and MBC should be extended for the Scheduled Tribe also as Bhutia-Lepcha and Limboo-Tamang in both cases.
Instead of having a separate Municipality Corporation, Municipality Councils and Nagar Panchayats, the Opposition parties have suggested whether “Sikkim Municipality Corporation” could be formed with all the towns and bazaars of Sikim as its wards. According to the release, the “Sikkim Municipality Corporation could be a satellite type of Municipality Corporation with its wards located at different places so that the requirement of population of 70,000 or more for the Municipal Corporation, 5,000 and more but less than 70,000 for Municipal Council and 3,000 or more but less than 5,000 for Nagar Panchayat as per section 13 of the Sikkim Municipalities Act, 2007 (Act No. 5 of 2007) and can also be fulfilled besides the compliance of Article 243 of the constitution of India and safeguard of the subsection (k) of Article 371F of the constitution of India.”

Joint Action Committee Condemns Attack on Opposition Political leaders

Gangtok: A Press Release issued by BJP president Shri H.P.Pradhan on behalf of the JACTSD has informed that a meeting of the “Joint Action committee to Save Democracy” (JACTSD) consisting of 4 main opposition Political Parties viz. Indian National Congress, Communist party of India (Marxist), Bharatiya Janata Party and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad and a NGO was held on 16th August 2007.

In a press release issued on August 17, JACTSD has announced that a number of resolutions were adopted by JACTSD in the meeting and details of same as per release is as follows:

1. The meeting strongly condemned the character assassination of the leaders of the opposition, Non governmental Organisations and official and the language used by the Chief Minster on the auspicious day of Independence on 15th August 2007 in presence of the innocent school children, government officials, dignitaries and the public at large.
2. The meeting took exception to the call of the Chief Minister to the public to become combatant (Jujharu) and analyzing whether this amount to call for civil war when democracy can not survive without the presence of opposition Political parties.
3. The meeting also condemned the assertion of Chief Minister that no negotiation to be made on the Hydro-electric Power project at Dzongu neglecting the call of the minority Lepcha tribe and consider this as threatening statement when such issues should have been settled in democratic way.
4. The meeting decided that the election to the Panchayat and Municipality should be held after proper delimitation of the wards based on proportionate population and reservations following the principal of public hearing before final delimitation. For independent delimitation and the reservation, the committee felt that this should be done by the State Election Commission.

SHRP WRITES TO PRESIDENT OF INDIA

Gangtok: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad informed to local media that it has submitted a 18 points letter to President of India Madam Pratibha Patil highlighting the Sikkim Government's failure in preventing the continuation of hunger strike by ACT, problem of drug abuse, arrests of political members of Opposition parties, failure of Sikkim Governor to act on Memorandum submitted to him by Opposition parties in State,Rising numbers of Suicide cases etc.

Announcing this SHRP leader also announced that a copy of same is being forwarded to Union state home minister Prakash Jaiswal. Outlining the Opposition strategy he said the alliance of Opposition parties in Sikkim would continue to raise issues of hunger strike,failure of Governor to use his special powers to sort out the issue of Dzongu and not meeting in person to hunger strikers despite such a long time and carry forward their protests at all levels.