Latest news with #SikkimPolice
India Today
4 days ago
- General
- India Today
(1982) From the India Today archives
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated March 15, 1982)The last years of his life had been spent in bitterness and pain and even humiliation. He was a king without a kingdom, betrayed by his own people, his tiny Himalayan monarchy snatched rudely away by a mighty neighbour, his power and prestige reduced to nothingness. And then, the final denouement: deserted by his American wife, he lay stricken with cancer in an alien Palden Thondup Namgyal, 59, the former Chogyal of Sikkim, finally passed into legend and history, there remained the ultimate irony: his voice box had been removed three months earlier so there were no last words, no epitaph he could give himself, no final benediction to his irony, however, was not over. In death, if not in life, the Chogyal finally was king again and his tortured soul had found peace. For 20 days, his body, embalmed in New York where he died, lay in state in the royal monastery in Gangtok while thousands of mourners filed past, some sobbing uncontrollably, to pay their final farewell to the departed leader. At each corner of the tent-shaped coffin (the Chogyal, according to traditional custom, was placed seated in the classic Buddha pose) four members of the Sikkim Police maintained a 24-hour vigil, heads bowed and rifles PAGEANTRY: Only a king could have commanded, and deserved, such stylised pageantry. Instead of the sombre trappings of a funeral, the coffin room was a riot of colours. Two rows of wizened lamas in their red robes sat facing each other, eyes closed and lips moving silently in prayer. Huge prayer flags and tankhas with intricate designs hung solemnly from the hundred butter lamps flickered constantly in the centre of the room, bathing the scene in an eerie glow. There was also a symbolic show of defiance in the form of the red and white Sikkim national flag draped over the coffin and hiding the Chogyal's mortal remains from public to the coffin, neatly laid out with spotless tableware, was an incongruous sight - a full meal, freshly cooked, which was served up thrice a day. At breakfast, for instance, there were two fried eggs, bacon, orange juice, a thermos jug of coffee and fruit. According to Buddhist tradition, the soul of the dead does not leave the body immediately, but at a moment termed auspicious by the lamas for a period up to 49 days after economic reasons, since the family of the dead person has to feed the mourners, the actual cremation takes place within a week. In the Chogyal's case, the lamas had picked the 21st day after his death for the the day his body had been flown in to Gangtok on January 31, a row of intricately designed tents had been erected on the grassy knoll separating the palace from the royal monastery. Under the tents, hundreds of female volunteers slaved day and night to provide meals for the hundreds who arrived daily from all parts of the rugged, mountainous state for the door, in the tiny Victorian building known as the Palace, the members of the Chogyal's family huddled in private grief, led by the bespectacled and self-assured scion of the Namgyal family, Wangchuk Namgyal, 29."His last days were peaceful and spent in meditation. I think he knew he was going to die and though he couldn't speak he made this quite obvious," says Palden Namgyal the Chogyal's curly-haired son by his second wife, Hope Cooke, who studies in New York and was by his father's bedside when the end present was Bhuvanesh Kumari, member of the erstwhile royal family of Patiala and a family friend as well as the former Chogyal's legal adviser. "He was a great man, a renowned scholar and this spontaneous show of grief is a measure of the affection the people had for him," she the day of the cremation, the royal family gathered around the coffin at 4.30 a.m. in the pre-dawn darkness to make the traditional offerings of scarves to the Chogyal's coffin. They were joined by the royal family of Bhutan, led by the queen mother, which is related by marriage to the Chogyal's 4.45, with dawn edging over the mountains, the coffin was brought out of the monastery and taken to a specially-erected tent and placed on a gaily-decorated palanquin. Till 9 a.m., the coffin remained there while assorted VIPs including N.R. Lasker, minister of state for home, and Homi Talyarkhan, governor of Sikkim, and commoners filed past silently to pay final overcome by emotion, knelt and touched the ground with their foreheads in the traditional obeisance to a king. At 9.05, the former Chogyal set out on his final journey to the royal cremation ground on top of a hill overlooking the the procession were a group of lamas carrying prayer flags and playing instruments. Behind them marched a brass band playing funeral marches. Behind them was a police contingent with rifles pointing backwards followed by a group of old women with prayer wheels chanting incantations. Then came the main body of the procession, led by the Head Lama. Behind him, the two princesses, Yangchen and Hope Lizum, the latter, the 14-year-old daughter of the Chogyal's second wife Hope Cooke, carrying food and drink wrapped in white CLIMB: The coffin itself was initially carried by the male members of the royal family led by Prince Wangchuk and his step-brother, Palden, and Simon Abraham, the English husband of procession circled the royal monastery thrice before another set of pall-bearers took over the started the long seven-kilometre climb to the royal cremation ground. Every 200 yards, the pall-bearers would be replaced by people from various localities along the route. In fact, for the last four kilometres of the route, the procession crawled up a narrow, steep path that was, in some places, little more than a goat took the procession over three hours to finally arrive at the cremation ground where the coffin was placed on top of a specially-constructed bell-shaped funeral pyre. The cremation ground itself was a mass of humanity, with the more agile having clambered up trees to obtain a better an hour of rituals, the royal family paid their last respects by throwing scarves onto the pyre after bowing thrice with folded hands, their foreheads touching the ground. Finally, to the moving sound of the Last Post echoing through the hills, the pyre was lit and a huge pillar of smoke rose slowly in the hushed silence, casting its shadow over the entire was, in the end, a symbol of many things. The end of a shadowy era and the tenuous beginnings of another. An intangible tribute to the memory of a lost kingdom and a disillusioned king. But to the thousands of watching mourners, for that one fiery moment, Sikkim was theirs again and not the 22nd state of the Indian to India Today Magazine
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Over 200 stranded vehicles evacuated safely after sudden snowfall in East Sikkim
Nearly 200 vehicles, stranded between Tsomgu and Thegu in East Sikkim, were evacuated following sudden snowfall and hailstorm. The swift and coordinated efforts of the Sikkim Police and the Indian Army ensured that all passengers were safely evacuated. Station House Officer (SHO) of Sherathang, Yogendra Gurung shared a video of the evacuation, showcasing the effective response by the authorities. ALSO READ: 1,800 tourists still stuck in Sikkim's Lachen, Lachung after landslides As a precaution, no permits have been issued for travel to Nathula, located on the Indo-China border. Meanwhile the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers in several areas of Sikkim. On Saturday, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) launched restoration works on a war footing in north Sikkim following massive landslides triggered by a cloudburst and incessant rains, enabling partial road connectivity for the evacuation of over 1,000 stranded tourists. According to an official release, the devastating rainfall, which recorded up to 130 mm on April 24, caused severe damage to roads leading to major tourist destinations, including Lachen, Lachung, Gomra, the Valley of Flowers, and Zero Point. The deluge triggered multiple landslides and formation breaches, severely hampering road infrastructure crucial to Sikkim's tourism-dependent economy. Under Project Swastik, BRO personnel have been working around the clock in harsh and inclement weather to restore critical links. Despite facing a formation breach of approximately 70 metres on the road to Lachen, efforts are underway on a war footing to reconnect the area. Meanwhile, Project Swastik teams achieved a significant breakthrough by reopening the road towards Lachung for one-way movement of light vehicles by the evening of April 26. The restored connectivity is expected to facilitate the safe evacuation of more than 1,000 stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen via Donkyala Pass. With the prolonged monsoon season setting in early, BRO workers continue to strengthen damaged road infrastructure and undertake crucial surfacing work to ensure safer and more durable connectivity. Their dedicated and selfless efforts, despite relentless rains and challenging terrain, have garnered widespread appreciation from local communities. Road infrastructure remains vital for the economic and tourism growth of Sikkim, and the swift action by BRO has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the region during critical times.A massive landslide hit Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road in North Sikkim. Sikkim experiences continui The region is experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, which has made the roads inaccessible at night. Although the road to Chungthang is open, the heavy rain has made nighttime travel unsafe. As a result, permits for North Sikkim will not be issued on Sunday, and all previously issued advanced permits have been deemed cancelled. Sonam Dechu Bhutia, Superintendent of Police, Mangan district, north Sikkim, announced the cancellation of permits due to the challenging weather conditions and roadblocks caused by the landslide. "A massive landslide has occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road. Further, it has been raining continuously in north Sikkim. The road to Chungthang is open, but due to heavy rain, it cannot be accessed at night. Hence, permits for north Sikkim will not be issued tomorrow, and all the advanced permits issued are deemed cancelled," said landslides have affected critical routes connecting tourist destinations such as Lachen, Lachung, and Yumthang in North Sikkim, areas that are popular among visitors during the spring and summer seasons. Authorities cautioned tourists and residents against travelling on these routes due to the high risk of further landslides and road collapses. (ANI)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Over 200 stranded vehicles evacuated safely after sudden snowfall in Sikkim
Nearly 200 vehicles, stranded between Tsomgu and Thegu in East Sikkim, were evacuated following sudden snowfall and hailstorm. The swift and coordinated efforts of the Sikkim Police and the Indian Army ensured that all passengers were safely evacuated. Station House Officer (SHO) of Sherathang, Yogendra Gurung shared a video of the evacuation, showcasing the effective response by the authorities. As a precaution, no permits have been issued for travel to Nathula, located on the Indo-China border. Meanwhile the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers in several areas of Sikkim. On Saturday, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) launched restoration works on a war footing in north Sikkim following massive landslides triggered by a cloudburst and incessant rains, enabling partial road connectivity for the evacuation of over 1,000 stranded tourists. According to an official release, the devastating rainfall, which recorded up to 130 mm on April 24, caused severe damage to roads leading to major tourist destinations, including Lachen, Lachung, Gomra, the Valley of Flowers, and Zero Point. The deluge triggered multiple landslides and formation breaches, severely hampering road infrastructure crucial to Sikkim's tourism-dependent economy. Under Project Swastik, BRO personnel have been working around the clock in harsh and inclement weather to restore critical links. Despite facing a formation breach of approximately 70 metres on the road to Lachen, efforts are underway on a war footing to reconnect the area. Meanwhile, Project Swastik teams achieved a significant breakthrough by reopening the road towards Lachung for one-way movement of light vehicles by the evening of April 26. The restored connectivity is expected to facilitate the safe evacuation of more than 1,000 stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen via Donkyala Pass. With the prolonged monsoon season setting in early, BRO workers continue to strengthen damaged road infrastructure and undertake crucial surfacing work to ensure safer and more durable connectivity. Their dedicated and selfless efforts, despite relentless rains and challenging terrain, have garnered widespread appreciation from local communities. Road infrastructure remains vital for the economic and tourism growth of Sikkim, and the swift action by BRO has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the region during critical times.A massive landslide hit Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road in North Sikkim. The region is experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, which has made the roads inaccessible at night. Although the road to Chungthang is open, the heavy rain has made nighttime travel unsafe. As a result, permits for North Sikkim will not be issued on Sunday, and all previously issued advanced permits have been deemed cancelled. Sonam Dechu Bhutia, Superintendent of Police, Mangan district, north Sikkim, announced the cancellation of permits due to the challenging weather conditions and roadblocks caused by the landslide. "A massive landslide has occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road. Further, it has been raining continuously in north Sikkim. The road to Chungthang is open, but due to heavy rain, it cannot be accessed at night. Hence, permits for north Sikkim will not be issued tomorrow, and all the advanced permits issued are deemed cancelled," said landslides have affected critical routes connecting tourist destinations such as Lachen, Lachung, and Yumthang in North Sikkim, areas that are popular among visitors during the spring and summer seasons. Authorities cautioned tourists and residents against travelling on these routes due to the high risk of further landslides and road collapses.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sikkim CM announces 20 per cent quota for Agniveers in state police
Gangtok, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday announced a 20 per cent quota for Agniveers in the state police. The CM made the announcement while attending the 'Shared Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 – Military-Civil Fusion 2025" here. Tamang said in Sikkim Police constable recruitment there would be a 20 per cent quota for Agniveers and age relaxation for those meeting service criteria. He also announced a 10-year relaxation in the standard upper age limit has been introduced for ex-servicemen who have completed at least six months in the Armed forces, enabling them to apply for these positions till the age of 50. The upper age limit for applying to Sikkim government jobs is 40 years. The chief minister in his address appreciated the Indian Army and the Trishakti Corps for organising this important Military-Civil coordination symposium. He said that the Indian Army plays a vital role not only in securing our borders but also in strengthening the socio-economic fabric of our state. "For a strategically sensitive border state like Sikkim, Military-Civil fusion is not just desirable but essential for national security, infrastructure development, economic progress, and social integration," the CM said. He said the Army's assistance during the 2023 Teesta floods and in other disasters reflects the strength of this partnership. Infrastructure development, especially in roads, tunnels, and digital connectivity, is progressing through coordinated efforts of the Army, BRO, and the state government. The Sikkim CM said Military-Civil Fusion aims to integrate strategic capabilities and developmental goals, sharing knowledge, technology, and resources for a secure and prosperous India. "Sikkim, given its strategic location, plays a crucial role in this fusion. From strengthening border infrastructure and promoting youth participation to encouraging innovation and eco-sensitive tourism, we aim to build on our legacy of harmonious military-civil relations," he stated. Tamang also said that initiatives like the Vibrant Villages Programme and reforms in defence administration have boosted synergy between defence forces and civil authorities. The Sikkim Scouts Regiment exemplifies local participation in national defence.
