Bhaichung Bhutia, ex-footballer and founder of the Hamro Sikkim Party, has come down heavily on police, alleging law and order deteriorated in the state in the past few years.

The working president of the HSP was articulating a perception that the rule of law has gone down the drains under the present dispensation of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha headed by chief minister P. S. Tamang (Golay). “The police have to work under the framework of our Constitution. They need our trust and their credibility should not be questioned by the public,” Bhutia told The Telegraph on Monday.

Bhaichung referred to the recent observation of the Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana, where he said police had to be impartial. “Governments come and go, but the rule of law must prevail, and I am not saying this, it is the chief justice of India saying so,” Bhutia said.

Bhaichung referred to the many incidents in the last couple of years where the police allegedly were perceived to be mute spectators.

“What were the police doing when a group of women had gathered in front of their eyes during the time of pandemic? (He was referring to the incident where his effigy was in burned in Namchi .) What has been happened to the case where J. B. Darnal (a spokesman of Sikkim Democratic Front) was brutally assaulted?,” he asked.

The former captain of the Indian football team said the law and order in Sikkim had deteriorated in the last few years and this needed to be addressed. “This is not good for Sikkim police,” he said.