One accused held in assault case in Sikkim; villagers demand arrest of others

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>GEYZING, :</b><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif"> One of the three accused in the alleged brutal assault of a man in Soreng district has been arrested, while villagers and the victim’s relatives have demanded the immediate arrests of the remaining suspects and a thorough probe into the incident.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The victim, identified as Chandra Hang Subba, was allegedly attacked by three persons near his residence at Kholatar Muneeu under Daramdin constituency a few days ago. He sustained multiple injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">According to local residents, the assailants fled the scene after women from the area witnessed the attack and raised an alarm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">On Saturday, relatives of the victim and residents from Thongling, Muneeu Gaon and Karthok villages gathered at Sombaria police station, demanding the arrest of the two remaining accused and justice for the victim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Villagers expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged motive cited by the arrested accused during questioning. According to them, police informed them that the accused claimed the assault stemmed from a dispute with the victim during the fair held at Sombaria last year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">A villager said the explanation was surprising as, he claimed, members of the fair’s organising committee were unaware of any altercation or dispute between the victim and the accused that could have led to such a violent attack.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“We are really taken aback by the statement made by the accused. Despite being members of the fair’s organizing committee, we have no information about any differences between the victim and the accused that could have led to the brutal assault a few days ago. We demand a thorough investigation into the case in which an innocent individual was assaulted in such an inhumane manner,” the villager said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The villagers said they were extending full cooperation to the police to ensure all those involved in the assault are brought to justice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Sanjay Hang Limboo, nephew of the victim, appealed to the State government to arrest the remaining accused at the earliest. He described the attack as inhuman and life-threatening, saying such incidents set a dangerous precedent in an otherwise peaceful society.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“Give us justice. We appeal to the government to ensure immediate justice for the victim, who is an innocent individual devoted to his community,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Limboo said the victim, a farmer and a founding member of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, was gradually recovering but continued to receive treatment for multiple injuries sustained in the attack.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Police officials at Sombaria could not be contacted for comment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Meanwhile, Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Songchumbho (SYSS), a frontal organisation of the Limboo community, strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">In a press release, the organisation described the incident as a “heinous and cowardly daylight attack” and called for a swift, transparent and time-bound investigation free from any political or external interference.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“Any delay or attempt to shield those responsible will be strongly opposed,” the SYSS said.<br> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>

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