Sikkim is facing a crisis in the supply of essential commodities via NH10 due to the Gorkhaland agitation in neighbouring West Bengal
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling that the Centre will secure National Highway 10, as the state is facing a crisis in the supply of essential commodities due to the agitation over the demand for Gorkhaland in neighbouring West Bengal.
During a phone conversation with the Sikkim Chief Minister, the Home Minister discussed the security situation in the state and areas neighbouring West Bengal.
Singh also directed Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to coordinate with the West Bengal administration and ensure safety, security and smooth traffic on NH 10, which connects Siliguri in West Bengal with Sikkim's capital, Gangtok.
"I assured him that the Centre will ensure the safety & security of NH 10 and do everything possible to save people of the state from any misery," Rajnath tweeted.
Chamling had said Sikkim has been suffering "untold losses owing to the recurring blockage of its one and only lifeline, NH-10, during the last 30 years of Gorkhaland agitation".
There have also been reports of Sikkim-bound taxis, buses and private vehicles being targeted by anti-social elements in Siliguri after Chamling supported the demand of Gorkhaland and also wrote to the Home Minister saying it was a justified and long-pending demand of the people of the Darjeeling hills.
Trucks with a Sikkim registered number have been attacked and looted near Siliguri,
Transporters in Sikkim are on an indefinite strike demanding immediate arrest of the miscreants who carried out the attacks at Siliguri against the vehicles registered in Sikkim.
They are also demanding that West Bengal gives an assurance of providing safety to Sikkim-registered vehicles.
Expressing concern over vandalism of Sikkim-registered vehicles in West Bengal, Chamling had said that he is planning to move the Supreme Court in this regard.
"I am in regular contact with the Union government on the issue and am thinking of approaching the Supreme Court to settle the issue at the earliest," he said at a meeting in Chisopani in South Sikkim district on Wednesday.
TRADING TAKES A HIT
- Sikkim is facing a crisis in the supply of essential commodities via NH10 due to the Gorkhaland agitation in neighbouring West Bengal.
- Sikkim-bound taxis, buses and private vehicles have also reportedly been targeted by anti-social elements in Siliguri.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Rajnath Singh")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}