Chamling's reminder to PM on road blockade to Sikkim

Gangtok, Jun 20 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today sent an SOS to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention for keeping open traffic on NH-31A, the lifeline of the strategic state.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-sponsored bandh demanding separate state for Gorkhas in West Bengal has paralysed the highway as supporters picketing Rangpo and Melli, the two entry points to Sikkim prevent any movement of vehicles into and outside the state.

Mr Chamling had earlier on June 12 taken up the matter with the Prime Minister.

The Chief Minister in a 'very strong reminder' pointed out the current difficult situation, through which Sikkim was passing due to road blockade.

Mr Chamling said 'with no fault of Sikkim, the people of the state, specially the students seeking admissions in various colleges in different parts of the country and patients in need of urgent medical attention in metropolitan cities are experiencing untold difficulties'.

He said apart from the extent of monetary loss on the economy of the state daily, the feeling of isolation of the state in a sensitive region was immeasurable.

Mr Chamling reiterated to the Prime Minister to open the NH 31A so that the transport of food and other essential commodities to Sikkim and movement of passengers, specially the students and patients, was not hindered.

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