After mysterious death of Namchi Government College president Padam Gurung, students of the college took to the streets in a rally on Friday, demanding justice for their fallen leader. The rally, which began at the college premises in Upper Kamrang Village and concluded at Kisaan Bazaar in Namchi town, aimed to showcase student unity and solidarity.
The students sought permission from the College Principal, authorities, and the Namchi district police to carry out the rally. The Student Representative Council (SRC) of the college played a crucial role in organizing the event and took the opportunity to speak to the media about their concerns regarding Gurung’s death.
“We have trusted the Sikkim Police to resolve this case, and we maintain that trust. The rally is a display of our unity and our desire for justice for Padam Gurung. We are not certain whether this was an accident or something else, but we want closure. The police must clarify whether it was an accident or murder, and we will wait for one week for their decision. If no progress is made, we will take further steps based on the police verdict,” stated a representative from the SRC.
The death of SRC prez Padam Gurung has sparked widespread speculations amongst the public and further adding to it numerous video clips and audio conversations have gone viral in social media platforms.
In regard to which, one audio clip, which surfaced on Thursday, features a conversation between Padam Gurung’s brother and a witness from the alleged pub where Padam was drinking prior to his death.
In the conversation, she claims that Padam Gurung was severely intoxicated and was involved in a heated discussion with the restaurant owner, who allegedly assaulted him with brass knuckle making Padam unconscious.
Sikkim Police taking the allegations into account, summoned the restaurant owner for interrogation.
The student representatives at the rally of July 7 morning emphasized the importance of a swift investigation into these allegations. They demanded the immediate closure of the pub in question and stricter regulations regarding alcohol service to students in Namchi and throughout the state.
Bijay Dahal, SRC General Secretary addressing the media denied alleged of torture of Padam Gurung before his death. He said, “We do not feel Padam was tortured in the College prior to his death, when you are the president of the college, the pressure is immense. The position comes with pressure.”
“The videos circulating of supposedly torture from fellow students to Padam is just one sided exhibition from the media. But why that happened and why was he charged in that manner has not been brought to light. With the video circulating across social media, there are negative comments against the students involved, which has affected these students as well. To bring their concern into light we will do a press address soon. The same cannot be labelled as torture”. He added
“We cannot say it was a threat on his life but pressure happening upon the president, that prompted us to take the matter to the principal. The Principal after listening to our (SRC) grievances, urged us to bring the same concern in writing. But when it was not a written complaint merely days later the incident occurred”.
On the rumours that Padam Gurung was murdered for funds given for Annual College fest, the general secretary highlighted the same as a rumour. He said, “This is merely a rumour, when funds come for college fest, they do not come to Student Representative Council but to the College’s Principal. The fund comes to the Principal and that being a reason for his death is completely a rumour”
Furthermore, General Secretary Dahal, denying any connection between the incident and the college election said, “At a personal level, I feel nothing to do with the incident has anything to do with the election. On what happened concerning the incident we feel police will investigate properly”
Late evening of July 7, after the students representative rally, Sikkim police through video release said, ” it is observed that one audio clip is being circulated in social media wherein a woman has claimed that on the relevant night of 27.06.2023, she had witnessed the deceased Padam Gurung being beaten up in front of the restaurant at Namchi. Team of Sikkim Police has examined the said women and some juvenile witnesses associated with the incident. Whereas the fact is revealed that the incident being discussed in the above said viral audio pertains to another incident which has happened on the same night and in front of same restaurant. In the CCTV footage, the deceased along with another person can be seen going downwards reportedly in search of their vehicle keys while another group of people, who appear to be highly unstable are seen to be arguing and scuffling. It seems that the woman who is discussing an incident that took place on that particular night in front of the said restaurant. However, it has now been discovered that the incident being discussed in the audio pertains to a different event that occurred on the same night, but in front of the same restaurant.”
“According to this new information, the deceased person and another individual were seen going downwards, presumably in search of their vehicle keys. The statements provided by witnesses have been compared with the CCTV footages and found to be inconsistent.” Added Sikkim police
By Sushil Rai. The author is a freelancer. He can be contacted at jinmakpali94@gmail.com