SDF postposed its 48hrs Sikkim bandh

Gangtok, Dec 7 (UNI) The 48 hour 'Sikkim bandh' call given by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has been indefinitely postponed.

The bandh was to have started from December 9 morning.

The decision to postpone the bandh was taken at the legislature party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling here last night.

Sikkim Democratic Front spokesman B B Gooroong said the bandh was postponed in view of the examinations going on in various institutions and following representations from the people.

The party received a number of representations from the people requesting it not to go ahead with the bandh as it would inconvenience them since the bandh day falls on Sunday a weekly market day, Mr Gooroong said.

The chief minister is leaving for New Delhi tomorrow to attend the National Development Council meeting. It was another reason that forced the party to defer the bandh,he said.

The SDF gave the bandh call to protest possibile dilution of Rule 4 (4) Sikkim government's Establishment Rule 1974, that provides preferential treatment to the Sikkimese in appointment in government jobs.

The other objectives of the bandh were to pressurise the central government to provide reservation to the Limboo and Tamang communities, pass the women reservation bill and not to implement the Direct Income Tax law in the state.

MORE UNI BD PL SS1411