The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front have renewed their battle after a lull of about a week, but unlike the recent incidents of violence and intimidation involving the two parties, the latest flare up was only limited to words.

SDF president and former chief minister Pawan Chamling on Sunday night broke his silence on last week’s incidents in south Sikkim where in one instance his convoy had come under attack. He said other cases of assault and molestation were pointers to the total breakdown of law and order in the state under the SKM regime.

Accusing the government of giving a free hand to criminal elements by patronising them, Chamling said even police had been reduced to SKM cadres. “The Melli (in south Sikkim) thana flatly refused to write a GD (in the incident involving his convoy). Instead, our innocent people have been arrested and taken into police custody. That is the level of law and order in the state right now,” he said in a statement.

On January 10, Chamling’s convoy had been pelted with stones allegedly by SKM supporters at Tarey Bhir under Melli police station limits. The windscreens of some vehicles in the convoy were smashed. A day earlier, the former chief minister had been heckled at Melli Bazar. “In the Melli and Tarey Bhir incidents, the goons had parked their vehicle in the middle of the road to stop us. Then they spewed abusive words, threw stones at us, and damaged our vehicles,” he said.

Launching a direct assault on chief minister P.S. Tamang (Golay), the SDF president said the breakdown of law and order was the result of a “wrong man” taking the reins of administration. “He (Golay) has no idea that the job of the Chief Minister is to provide peace, security and prosperity to the people. He is doing just the opposite; which is to rob the people of their peace, security and prosperity,” he said.

Replying promptly to Chamling’s charges, the ruling SKM accused the SDF of indulging in misinformation and cautioned the people against falling victim to his falsehoods. “Under the pragmatic leadership of honourable chief minister Shri P.S. Golay, Sikkim is on the path to all-round development. Our fellow citizens should stay away from the divisive politics of Pawan Kumar Chamling and support inclusive governance of SKM,” Bikash Basnet, chief coordinator of SKM’s media cell, said on Monday.

Accusing Chamling of trying to garner people’s sympathy, Basnet said the former chief minister, who had helmed Sikkim for 25 years, had not only been rejected by the people in the ballots but also from their hearts. “It is time for him to take a peaceful retirement life,” advised Basnet.