Former Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling gets SPG security cover

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By Nitesh R Pradhan 

GANGTOK | June 30, 2019:

Opposition Sikkkm Democratic Front(SDF) has confirmed Special Protection Group(SGP) protection for its Party Supremo and Former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

The Union ministry of Home Affairs have provided Special Protection Group (SPG) security cover to the former Chief Minister, as per the SDF.

Two SPG jawans have arrived at Gangtok on 29 June and are on security duty for the former Chief Minister. Remaining members of the SPG team are scheduled to reach Gangtok today evening.

Around a dozen SPG members would be deployed for Chamling's security detail, it was informed.

Confirming the news, SDF Spokesperson MK Subba stated that Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that Former CM Pawan Chamling is a "political asset" and being the longest serving chief minister, there was a threat perception which prompted the Union Home Ministry to provide SPG cover to Chamling.

He has also criticised the ruling SKM party for not providing security to leader of the main opposition party.

Meanwhile, ruling SKM has maintained that Sikkim, being a peaceful state, there is no such provision of providing security to opposition leader.

SKM's Spokesperson Jacob Khaling has asked the opposition party not to boycott assembly. "He (former CM) was the one who made laws during his government to not have opposition leaders in the state and we cannot go beyond the law and make someone opposition leader. He was the one who didn't want to have opposition leaders in Sikkim, we had also gone to court with the issue in 2015 and the then government provided a manipulated affidavit leaving no opposition leader in Sikkim. Thus, the same law is still prevalent. In democracy there should be an opposition leader and we abide by democratic principles. We want to make laws to have opposition leaders which is a fundamental need of democracy but he has stated not to attend the Assembly sessions and we cannot make law in the absence of opposition. Before asking for security he should not boycott the Assembly".