NEW DELHI: As protest over Gorkhaland continues in West Bengal, Centre Saturday assured Sikkim of security at NH-10 that has been blocked thus cutting supplies of essential commodities in the state.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling regarding the security situation in Sikkim and areas neighbouring West Bengal.
Chamling apprised Singh that Sikkim is facing an acute shortage of supplies especially essential commodities such as medicines, baby milk powder, vegetables and petrol/diesel due to closure of the national highway, the critical road link to Sikkim.
The home minister assured him that the Centre will ensure the safety and security of NH 10 and do everything possible to save people of the state from any misery and ensure essential supplies to the State of Sikkim.
“Spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling regarding the security situation in the state and areas neighbouring West Bengal. I assured him that Centre will ensure the safety and security of NH 10 and do everything possible to save people of the state from any misery,” Singh tweeted about his telephonic conversation.
The home minister has also directed Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to coordinate with West Bengal administration and ensure the safety, security and smooth traffic on NH 10.
“The West Bengal Government is being requested to ensure that the road link to Sikkim remains open,” he said.
There have been reports that Sikkim-bound taxis, busses and private vehicles are vandalized by groups and even trucks carrying supplies are looted in Siliguri. The violence started after Chamling lent support to the demand of Gorkhaland. Justifying demands of people of the Darjeeling hills, he has also written to home minister.