04/09/2026
| PRESS RELEASE
CAP–SIKKIM CONDEMNS ALLEGED DECEPTION AT PEACEFUL JOINING PROGRAMME; DEMANDS FAIR AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION
On 3rd September 2026, a joining programme of the Citizen Action Party–Sikkim (CAP–Sikkim) was held today at Ranipool, where a large number of individuals voluntarily came forward to join the party and express their faith in its vision of clean governance, transparency, accountability and people-centric politics.
During the peaceful programme, an individual entered the meeting venue and was observed taking photographs of the proceeding. His presence and conduct raised suspicion among party members, who approached him and enquired about his identity and purpose for being present at the programme.
The individual identified himself as Mr. Karma Bhutia and informed the party members that he had come to join the Citizen Action Party–Sikkim. Taking his statement in good faith, the party members did not confront or mistreat him. Instead, in the true spirit of welcoming every citizen who voluntarily chooses to associate with the party, he was respectfully invited to join CAP–Sikkim along with the other new members. He was offered a khada and welcomed into the party in the presence of other participants.
However, after the programme, the party was shocked to learn that the individual was allegedly a police personnel associated with the Special Branch and had entered the meeting while concealing his official identity and was allegedly photographing and gathering information regarding the proceedings.
A PEACEFUL POLITICAL PROGRAMME TURNED INTO A POLICE CASE
The matter became even more serious when, after the programme had concluded, the individual returned to the venue accompanied by personnel from Ranipool Police Station and alleged that he had been mishandled by party members.
Based on his complaint, several CAP–Sikkim members were taken into custody and brought to the police station. The party strongly objects to what it considers to be a disproportionate and one-sided course of action, particularly when the circumstances leading to the incident and the individual’s alleged concealment of identity require proper examination.
The development led party members to stage a protest at the meeting venue, peacefully objecting to the arrest of their colleagues and demanding that the matter be investigated fairly. There was a heated exchange between party members and police personnel during the course of the situation. However, at the request of the police, the party members subsequently cooperated and marched towards Ranipool Police Station to seek the release of the detained members and to demand that the alleged conduct of the individual concerned also be examined and a complaint/FIR be registered if any wrongdoing is established.
CAP–SIKKIM RESPECTS SIKKIM POLICE
CAP–Sikkim makes it unequivocally clear that its concern is not against Sikkim Police as an institution or against police personnel performing their legitimate duties.
The party has always respected the Sikkim Police and recognises the difficult responsibilities undertaken by its personnel in maintaining peace, security and law and order in the State.
In fact, many members of CAP–Sikkim have family members serving in Sikkim Police, and the party and its members hold them in the highest esteem, pride and respect for their service to the people of Sikkim.
CAP–Sikkim has also consistently cooperated with police authorities. Whenever police personnel, including members of the Special Branch, have approached the party during programmes to gather legitimate information, they have been given due respect, priority and cooperation.
Therefore, the issue before the party is not why police personnel were present at a political programme. The concern is the alleged manner in which the individual concerned entered the venue, concealed his official identity, represented himself as a prospective party member and participated in the joining programme, only for his identity as an alleged police personnel to emerge later.
POLICE DUTY MUST BE CARRIED OUT WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND TRANSPARENCY
CAP–Sikkim firmly believes that if police authorities require information regarding any political programme, the party will continue to cooperate as it has always done.
However, if the allegations regarding concealment of identity and misleading the party members are established, such conduct raises serious questions about professional ethics, transparency and the proper conduct expected from a police officer while performing official duties.
A peaceful political meeting should not be unnecessarily transformed into a situation of confrontation through actions that create confusion and mistrust.
The party therefore believes that the entire sequence of events—from the individual’s entry into the meeting, his interaction with party members, his representation that he had come to join the party, his participation in the joining programme, to the subsequent police complaint and arrests—must be examined in its entirety and not selectively.
CAP–SIKKIM’S DEMANDS
In the interest of justice and institutional credibility, CAP–Sikkim demands:
1. A fair, impartial and transparent investigation into the entire incident.
2. Examination of CCTV footage, photographs, video recordings and statements of witnesses present at the programme to establish the facts.
3. A proper inquiry into the identity, purpose and conduct of the individual concerned, including whether his official identity was deliberately concealed.
4. That no party worker be subjected to arbitrary or one-sided action without a complete assessment of the available evidence.
5. That the complaint made by the party regarding the alleged concealment of identity and misleading conduct also be formally examined and appropriate legal action taken if any offence is established.
6. That senior police authorities ensure neutrality, professionalism and due process in handling the matter.
FORMAL REPRESENTATIONS SUBMITTED TO AUTHORITIES
CAP–Sikkim has formally brought the matter to the attention of the concerned authorities by email. The party has emailed representations regarding the incident to the Director General of Police, Sikkim, the Superintendent of Police, Gangtok District, and the ADC to the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim.
The party has requested that the matter be examined fairly, impartially and in accordance with law, and that appropriate action be taken after considering all relevant facts, evidence and complaints.
OUR RESPECT FOR THE POLICE REMAINS UNWAVERING
CAP–Sikkim reiterates that it has nothing against Sikkim Police and will continue to respect and cooperate with the institution and its personnel in the discharge of their legitimate duties.
Our members proudly have family members serving in the police force, and we understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by police personnel in serving the people of Sikkim.
But respect for an institution must never mean that legitimate questions cannot be raised regarding the conduct of an individual.
CAP–Sikkim stands for the rule of law, but the rule of law must be accompanied by fairness, transparency and equal treatment.
The party will continue to pursue the matter through lawful and democratic means and will cooperate with any genuine investigation.
Today’s incident is deeply disturbing because what began as a peaceful democratic joining programme was allegedly disrupted by the concealed presence of an individual who presented himself as a prospective party member and subsequently became the complainant in a police case against party workers.
CAP–Sikkim believes that such incidents must be addressed with maturity, impartiality and accountability so that public confidence in democratic institutions and law-enforcement agencies remains intact.
We respect Sikkim Police. We respect the law. But we will also stand firmly for the rights and dignity of our members and for transparency in public institutions.
CITIZEN ACTION PARTY–SIKKIM (CAP–SIKKIM)
