SDF Cheli Morcha in-charge Komal Chamling has said that the recent surge in cases related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other crimes against women has laid bare the stark reality of Sikkim today—one where the safety and dignity of women and children are under serious threat.
Even more troubling is the complete silence and inaction of the SKM government in the face of these horrifying incidents, said Komal in a press statement on Thursday.
“Despite projecting a pro-women narrative through symbolic gestures—such as appointing women as OSDs and Chairpersons, and declaring 8th August as Aama Samman Diwas—the government’s actions have failed to translate into real protection or justice for women and children. These gestures have been proved hollow when juxtaposed with the alarming rise in gender-based violence across the state,” said the SDF Cheli Morcha in-charge.
Komal maintained that under the SKM government, Sikkim has gained the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of crimes against children in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2021 report. The state recorded a disturbing crime rate of 72.4 under crimes against children including POCSO—an alarming statistic that demands immediate attention and action, she shared.
“Recent incidents have only added to this disturbing reality. In North Sikkim, a school staff member molested a minor girl by luring her to his home. In another case from Gyalshing District, a schoolteacher and two others sexually assaulted a class 7 student. In Geyzing, a class 8 student was reportedly molested by her own maternal uncle. These are just a few of the many cases that have been reported. The actual scenario of violence, especially sexual violence, against women in Sikkim may be much more far-reaching in scale since many such incidents often remain unreported out of shame,” said the SDF Cheli Morcha in-charge.
Komal maintained that in a state being touted as “Sunaulo Sikkim,” girl children are no longer safe in the very schools meant to secure their future. In an age of media, such news travels fast and gains virality quickly. Such news of rising crime has tarnished the image of the state as it completes 50 years of statehood, she said.
“In recent years, several prominent officeholders in the SKM government have faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment, as circulated in the media. Yet, these grave charges have been consistently dismissed without any formal inquiry or investigation by the government. This disturbing inaction reflects the indifference and a lack of commitment by the SKM government to addressing women’s safety and rights,” she said.
Komal contended that even today, the SKM government is silent on the issues of crimes against female minors and women. “However, this silence also not surprising as the SKM government’s work has been “all talk, no action”. As crimes against women and children escalate, the government’s lack of response raises serious questions about its priorities. Giving a few symbolic posts to women or simply playing lip-service to women’s issues cannot mask the vulnerability and threat that women and girls in Sikkim face today,” she said.
“We strongly condemn the SKM government’s silence and inaction in the face of rising violence against women and children. Reducing critical issues to mere tokenism is unacceptable. We demand the SKM government’s accountability towards the women of Sikkim. We affirm our solidarity with the women of Sikkim and appeal to them to reach out to SDF Women’s Front for justice and collective action,” said the Cheli Morcha in-charge.
- SA Report
