Opp. urges Guv to remove 'undeclared emergency' in Sikkim

Gangtok, May 21 (UNI) The Joint Action Committee of united Opposition of Sikkim today sought Governor Sudarshan Agarwal's intervention in lifting the 'undeclared emergency' imposed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in the state.

State Congress president and chief convenor of the recently constituted JAC, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, submitted a ten-point memorandum to the governor. He was accompanied by leaders of ten political parties, including those of the CPI(M), BJP and NCP.

Copies of the memorandum were forwarded to the President, the Prime Minister and Central leaders of major national parties.

The JAC demanded the Governor fulfil the promise made by the Union Government during the signing of the May 8 tripartite agreement and introduction of the 36th amendment Bill 1975 to abolish the 'institution of Chogyal' with a promise to provide democratic development of Sikkim.

''This promised democracy is missing in Sikkim under the SDF government. People's hopes and aspirations are suppressed. There is no freedom of speech and expression,'' the JAC said.

It outlined several instances of such "suppression" and alleged that the Opposition was subjected to unnecessary harassment for holding public meetings. Discriminatory methods were being adopted by the administration, they added.

''People's confidence in democracy must be restored at any cost,'' the JAC said requesting the Governor to invoke his special powers.

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