Unidentified persons, alleged to be supporters of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, vandalised the office of Sikkim Now , an English daily at Gairigaon here on Wednesday night. Five persons have been arrested, the police said on Thursday.
Miscreants pelted stones and damaged office furniture of the English daily at 10.30 p.m., they said, adding that no one was injured in the incident.
Five persons, including SDF panchayat poll candidate Bibi Domo Tamang (25) and her supporters Pem Chuki Tamang (20), Tashi Bhutia (20), Gyatso Bhutia (30) and Palman Tamang (22) have been arrested in this connection, they said.
Tamang had unsuccessfully contested the recently—concluded panchayat polls in the state.
DGP Jasbir Singh told a press conference here on Thursday that those arrested would be booked under stringent Acts and charge sheet filed within a month of completion of the investigation.
Journalists federation condemns attack
Meanwhile in a statement, Sikkim Federation of Working Journalists (SFWJ) general secretary Khagendramani Pradhan strongly condemned the attack on the newspaper office.
The federation urged the state government to ensure safety and security of all media persons and houses of Sikkim.
Press Club of Sikkim general secretary Joseph Lepcha also condemned attack on the newspaper office.
The press club also urged the state government to ensure safety of journalists and newspaper houses.
