Sikkim CM PS Golay visits jail where he was inmate for a year

Source:- eastmojo.com

Gangtok: Sikkim CM Prem Singh Golay made a surprise visit to the Rongyek Central Jail on Sunday and took stock of the situation, besides checking on the well-being of inmates, at the facility.

Incidentally, the CM was housed in the same jail for a year between 2017 and 2018 over a case related to ‘misappropriation of funds’.

Golay assured all possible support from the state government for the central jail, including discussion on urgent issues and necessary infrastructural changes such as repair work, gym facilities and allowance, among others.

He was welcomed by Jailer Vinod Tamang and was accompanied by the staff and local residents.

Earlier the day, at a public meeting in Chandmari near Gangtok, Golay recalled how well he was looked after by the staff and inmates during his one year of imprisonment at the jail. “Usually others feel happy when their imprisonment term ends but I cried as I had made really good friends here. I have had good memories of jail despite being held as a prisoner by the opposition SDF [Sikkim Democratic Front] party.”

The CM was imprisoned for a year and fined Rs 10,000 by the Sikkim High Court on June 28, 2017 and released from jail in August 2018.

He was found guilty of misusing funds to the tune of Rs 9.5 lakh under the state Milching cow distribution scheme. Golay was then MLA from Upper Burtuk constituency but was disqualified after conviction. The alleged misappropriation was reportedly executed by him between 1999 and 2004, when he was the animal husbandry minister.

Tamang is also the president of the largest opposition party in Sikkim — the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).