K.N. Rai, former Speaker of the Sikkim Assembly and a senior leader of Pawan Chamling-led Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), was attacked on Friday afternoon allegedly by supporters of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).

SDF sources said Rai was proceeding towards Maji Goan, Melli, about 55km east of Gangtok and near the Sikkim-Bengal border, in two vehicles to meet a bereaved family. He was being accompanied by Shiv Kumar Timshina, a spokesman for the SDF. Occupants of a vehicle bearing registration number SK-04Z 0010 then attacked the SDF leaders, said the Opposition party.

SDF leaders shared pictures of a bleeding Rai who was admitted to a Gangtok hospital.

“It is alleged that this was the handiwork of SKM Party cadres,” read a letter written by Prem Das Rai, a former Sikkim MP and a senior vice-president of the SDF, to governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya.

The SKM, which is headed by chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), had ousted Chamling in the 2019 Assembly elections.

The next Assembly polls will be held along with the Lok Sabha elections.

The SDF is set to celebrate its 32nd foundation day on March 4.

The SDF had recently written to the governor and also submitted a memorandum to the chief election commissioner, seeking the President’s Rule in the state because of “political violence”.

In his letter to the governor, Prem Das Rai said the “identified vehicle is SK-04Z-0010 Zylo” and the same may be apprehended. “We demand that the culprits be apprehended and justice be done.”

“This (incident) in effect goes completely contrary to the ‘peaceful Sikkim’,” read Prem Das’s letter.

Both Chamling, the longest-serving chief minister of India, and Golay have underlined that Sikkim has always been a peaceful state.

The SKM also condemned the attack on Rai.

“I strongly condemn the unpleasant and anti-social act of assault on former Speaker Shir KN Rai in Malli, Namchi district today. Shri KN Rai, a respected politician and senior citizen, should never have been subjected to such mistreatment,” said Golay in his verified Facebook account.

Golay promised “strong actions against the perpetrators” and justice for the “victim”.

The chief minister has said Sikkim thrives on peace and harmony “and such despicable acts will not be tolerated”.

“I urge everyone to uphold peace, unity, and tranquillity, rejecting violence and strife,” wrote Golay.

Several incidents of political violence were reported in the recent past which many believe have not gone down well with the residents of Sikkim.