Gangtok: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Penal Code have been imposed in Sikkim's Singtam by the East District Collectorate on Saturday following two incidents of violence.

Additional District Magistrate Agawane Rohan Ramesh took preventive steps in what he has termed as "urgent cases of annoyance and apprehended danger".

In accordance with section 144 Criminal Pebal Code assembly of five and more persons has been disallowed, and sloganeering rioting, protesting also, and other relevant clauses of the section have been enforced to stop further fights.

The untoward incidents occurred when the supporters of the Joint Action Committee were about to start a rally protesting the widening of the scope of the term Sikkimese to include the population residing in the state prior to 1975, (as per the interpretation of the recent Finance Bill 23 so far).

The vehicle of a former MLA was damaged and an office bearer of JAC was hit to bleeding. He had to be taken to hospital.

However, JAC leaders pressed for permission to hold a rally in Singtam,1 hour away from the capital, but the permission was for Gangtok. They refused to march in a rally from the point permitted.

The political parties have criticised the violence. Now peace is prevailing once again in Singtam due to restrictions.

(With UNI inputs)