Nathula Pass and Silk Route be closed immediately : Bhandari

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) The Centre should immediately stop movement of persons and vehicles on the strategic Nathula pass linking India with Tibet to stop 'Chinese infiltration' in the country, former Sikkim Chief Minister Narbahadur Bhandari said.

Mr Bhandari told UNI here today that if proper steps were not taken right now ''then what happened to Tibet in early 1960s will happen to Sikkim in another five years''.

He alleged that even the armed forces have expressed their apprehension on the opening up of this ''silk route'' as already a number of the prohibited Chinese items have flooded the local market.

Mr Bhandari said prohibited Chinese telecommunication equipment have not only entered the market but are even purchased by the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) which could adversely affect national security.

He said the government should think of opening this route only after fulfilling the assurances given to the Sikkimese people at the time of its merger with India in mid 1960s.

The government should not overlook the army's problem just for the sake of trade. They should first built a proper alternative route for the army so that their movement is not hampered in the event of any emergency in that area, he added.

Mr Bhandari said the government should create proper infrastructure in the state to handle traffic on this route.

He also questioned the opening of the route and said not a single person or company based in Sikkim will benefit as the state is governed by a seperate set of income tax rules.

Unless laws are amended and Permanent Account Number is provided to the people of Sikkim, the growing resentment among the people of the state could become an explosive issue, Mr Bhandari added.

UNI