Indefinite strike brings Sikkim to a standstill

Sikkim , Feb 10 (ANI) : An indefinite strike and shutdown called by the Gorkha Janmukhti Morcha (GJM) has virtually brought Sikkim to a standstill.

The National Highway which connects Sikkim with rest of the country was damaged and several visitors were stranded in Gangtok.

Anand Das, a tourist said: "I have an emergency and have to get back home as soon as possible. I have my passport Inquiry, so I have to go and now I'm stuck here. I left at about 5 am and I didn't know there was a strike here. If I knew, I could have done something but now I will have to stay back here

The shutdown affected the state economically. The tourism sector was at the receiving end of the demonstrations.

he President of Travel Agent Association of Sikkim, Lukendra Rasaily said, "People are quite scared of such untoward happenings and naturally tourists are not going to be bold to stay in such a place"

The GJM is protesting for a separate Gorkhaland state out of West Bengal.

Hilly regions of Darjeeling , Kalimpong and Sukna and besides other places in Siliguri , Jalpaiguri and Dooars in the foothills were also affected.(ANI)