21/07/2026
PRESS STATEMENT
Citizen Action Party – Sikkim (CAP-Sikkim)
Date: 21 July 2026
Citizen Action Party–Sikkim Strongly Condemns the Arrest of Party Spokespersons Shri Albert Gurung and Shri Mahesh Rai
The Citizen Action Party–Sikkim (CAP-Sikkim) strongly condemns the arrest of our party spokespersons, Shri Albert Gurung and Shri Mahesh Rai, by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the evening of 21st July 2026 at around 7:00 PM.
The manner in which this arrest was carried out raises serious questions about the intention behind the action. Instead of making the arrest during the day, when both spokespersons were openly present in Sikkim and fully accessible, the police chose to take the cover of darkness to execute the arrest. Such conduct creates a disturbing perception that the State machinery is being used not merely to enforce the law but to intimidate and silence dissenting voices.
Both Shri Albert Gurung and Shri Mahesh Rai have consistently discharged their responsibilities as party spokespersons by raising legitimate public concerns regarding the deteriorating financial condition of the State, the government’s fiscal management, and the unprecedented delay in presenting the State Budget. These are matters of immense public importance and deserve answers from the government, not criminal action against those seeking accountability.
The arrest of individuals for questioning the government strikes at the very heart of democratic governance. Democracy thrives on transparency, accountability, and the freedom to question those in power. When spokespersons of a recognised political party are arrested for raising issues of public interest, it sends a chilling message to every citizen who believes in democratic values.
We have been informed that both leaders were apprehended from Pakyong, taken to Pakyong Police Station, subsequently to Pakyong Primary Health Centre for medical examination, and are expected to be shifted to the CID Headquarters, Gangtok.
The Citizen Action Party–Sikkim views this action as an attempt to muzzle the voices of the opposition and suppress democratic discourse through intimidation. Such tactics have no place in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law.
CAP-Sikkim demands:
1. The immediate release of Shri Albert Gurung and Shri Mahesh Rai.
2. Full transparency regarding the legal grounds of their arrest.
3. An end to the misuse of investigative agencies to target political opponents and silence those who question the government.
4. Respect for the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, expression, and political participation.
We wish to make it unequivocally clear that arrests cannot silence the truth. The Citizen Action Party–Sikkim remains steadfast in its commitment to democratic values, constitutional rights, transparency, and accountability. No amount of intimidation will deter us from raising the concerns of the people of Sikkim.
The people of Sikkim are watching. Democracy must prevail over fear.
Kiran Zimba
Vice President
Citizen Action Party – Sikkim (CAP-Sikkim)
21 July 2026
Albert Gurung
