Act as ambassadors with Sikkim; GJM whip to cadres

Gangtok, Sep 17 (UNI) Continuing its efforts to woo support from Sikkim on the Gorkhaland demand, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has issued a whip to its workers along the NH 31 A, to act as ambassadors while dealing with Sikkim.

NH 31 A is the lifeline of Sikkim and a major stretch of this highway falls under the GJM-dominated areas of Kalimpong subdivision which automatically closes whenever the GJM announces a strike in Darjeeling.

The NH 31 A blockade during the GJM bandhs in the recent months had soured relations between Sikkim and Darjeeling.

Acting on a petition filed by a Sikkimese advocate, the Supreme Court had directed that that Highway should be kept open at all times.

''This is a national highway and we must ensure that our brothers from Sikkim are not troubled along this route,'' said GJM president Bimal Gurung, making his point very clear to the supporters along the Highway while addressing a public meeting at Rangpo in West Bengal, yesterday.

GJM central committee member Amar Lama told the party workers to act as ambassadors while dealing with the sikkim people along the NH 31 A.

The blockade of NH 31 A during the political disturbances in neighbouring Darjeeling had prompted the Sikkim government to seriously consider an alternative highway, as the government had submitted a proposal to the Centre for an alternative highway bypassing all the troublesome areas in Darjeeling to avoid the effects of the bandh.

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