Chamling demands restoration of essential supplies

Gangtok, Jun 22 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said he had demanded to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for adopting any means whether Army or paramilitary forces, for the restoration of the supply of essential items and foodgrains to Sikkim.

Sikkim remained cut off for the sixth day today in a row due to indefinite Darjeeling Hills bandh by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) which also includes blockade of NH 31 A, the life line of Sikkim.

''I spoke to the Home Minister today and I have told him that food, petrol, gas and other essential commodities should come to Sikkim by any means whether it by deploying Army or para-military forces, ''said Mr Chamling during a function at his party office in Gangtok.

The Home Minister had agreed and from tomorrow, the essential items will come to Sikkim, said Mr Chamling.

Some relief came in later this afternoon with GJM announcing a relaxation of 48 hours in the bandh from till 1800 hrs.

The state government had been rationing of fuel and LPG gas besides cracking down to prevent hoarding and black marketing of food grains as the supply links via NH 31 A were severely disrupted.

According to the Chief Minister, Sikkim has food grains stock of 15 days, two days of petrol and one week stock of LPG gas.

''I won't allow Sikkimese people to go hungry whatever happens in other side, '' he said.

UNI BG SJC HS RN1855