Chamling's effigy torched by SHRP

Gangtok, Aug 8 (UNI) Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad(SHRP), a regional political outfit, today torched the state Chief Minister in effigy here in protest against the alleged suppression of opposition parties by the Sikkim Democratic Front(SDF) government.

Senior SHRP leader Bhim Bahadur Chettri, along with other party members, gathered at Deorali bazaar under Gangtok police station area along NH 31 A and torched the effigy of Pawan Kumar Chamling.

Waving party flags, the SHRP members shouted slogans against the Chamling government and Governor V Rama Rao and sought their resignation ''in the best interest'' of the people. They also made it clear that the people of Sikkim will not tolerate any ''further suppression'' of the opposition parties.

Later, the Gangtok police arrived and arrested seven SHRP members from the spot. More arrests are expected by the evening.

SHRP also attributed today's move to show solidarity with the state Congress workers who were arrested recently by Sikkim police after some partymen torched the Governor's effigy last Saturday.

UNI