The Hindu Business Line : Darjeeling hills strike causes logistical problems in Sikkim

Gangtok, June 13 The Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling, has brought to the notice of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the implications on Sikkim of the indefinite strike called by the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha in the Darjeeling hills.

Among other things, he has pointed out that the frequent bandhs have resulted in a complete cessation of passengers and goods traffic, to and from Sikkim along the National Highway 31A.

In his letter, the Chief Minister has mentioned that even though the State Government has introduced immediate rationing of essential commodities such as liquefied petroleum gas, and petrol oil and lubricants in the State, the bandhs called by these organisations have put a severe strain on the inadequate stock of these essential commodities in the State, which is expected to last only for a few days.

Further, the Chief Minister has drawn attention to the plight of students who have recently passed the board examination and who are seeking admission for higher studies in institutions in other parts of the country. These students are not able to go out of the State because of the disruptions. Medical patients requiring urgent attention outside the State have also been seriously affected.

Mr Chamling said that the strikes and bandhs result in losses amounting to crores of rupees, which is an irreparable blow for a small State like Sikkim. The 31 A National Highway is the lifeline of the State, which does not have any air or rail link with the rest of the country.

The Chief Minister has appealed to the Prime Minister to solve the Darjeeling Hills problem on a permanent basis so that the landlocked State of Sikkim, surrounded by three international borders, does not have to face further difficulties on this score in the future.

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