Gorkah party membder arrested in Gyalshing for holding meeting without permission

Gangtok, Jan. 25: Six members of the regional outfit Sikkim Gorkha
Parajatantrik party were detained by the West district police for
holding a public meeting without prior written permission from the
police at Gyalshing bazaar the west district headquarters.
The arrests were made this morning when the members of the party
started using a public address system and started giving political
speeches. They were also distributing written materials.
K. B. Rai, the general secretary of the Gorkha party and six other
members of the party Thendup Sherpa, Yamlal Dangal, Mani Kumar Rai,
Bikash Thatal, Birkha Bahadur Rai were arrested.
Speaking to the Telegraph superintendent of police (West) Ruchika
Rishi confirmed that they were detained by the Gyalshing police since
they did not have the requisite permission to hold the meeting which
is mandatory.
Any political party or organization should apply in writing for
permission from the police to organize a public meeting or use the
public address system.
They have been detained under section 160 of the Sikkim police act for
violating or disobeying orders, directions under the said act.
According to sections 156, 157 and 158 of the police act, permission
is required to hold public meeting after applying in written.
Meanwhile, the president of the party G. M. Rai told reporters that
they were denied their fundamental right on the eve of the republic
day claiming that this showed there was no democracy in Sikkim. He
said their freedom of speech under article 19 had been violated and
accused the police of a clampdown on the party.
He also said there was no derogatory or any violation in the printed
mater being distributed. The police said the arrests were not based on
the distribution of the pamphlet but for not having the required
permission.