Gangtok, 29 July: The three-day Darjeeling Hill shutdown as convened by the GJMM demanding
Gorkhaland has impacted the neighbouring state of Sikkim on the first
day today. A vehicle from Sikkim was allegedly set ablaze by the
GJMM picketers on National Highway-31A, connecting Sikkim with West
Bengal.
A vehicle, bearing number SK-01 J 2560, was torched by the protestors along with a motor cycle at Bhotey Bhir near Rambi on the Highway, police informed. This is despite the fact that the GJMM leadership decided to keep NH-31 A outside the purview of the bandh. In consultation with the Darjeeling district administration, the Sikkim police have been deployed along the Highway to prevent any kind of blockade or arson during the period of the bandh. This is done in view of the possibility of the stir spilling over on the NH-31A, given the experience of the previous years. It is learnt that following the arson on the Highway, the Sikkim administration is keeping in touch with its counterpart in the Hills of Bengal.
The District Collector, Mr A K Singh, informed that 40 vehicles have reached Siliguri town safely under the protection of the West Bengal police. He informed that they are in constant touch with the Darjeeling district magistrate, Mr Soumitra Mohan.
The Superintendent of Police, Mr Manoj Tiwari, said: “The vehicles that were set ablaze had left early in the morning before 5 a.m. when the police were not deployed on the NH-31A”. He added that the highway is now being guarded by the Bengal police personnel and the vehicles from Sikkim are being escorted by them to ensure safety of the passengers.
He further informed that the traffic flow has returned to normalcy.
A vehicle, bearing number SK-01 J 2560, was torched by the protestors along with a motor cycle at Bhotey Bhir near Rambi on the Highway, police informed. This is despite the fact that the GJMM leadership decided to keep NH-31 A outside the purview of the bandh. In consultation with the Darjeeling district administration, the Sikkim police have been deployed along the Highway to prevent any kind of blockade or arson during the period of the bandh. This is done in view of the possibility of the stir spilling over on the NH-31A, given the experience of the previous years. It is learnt that following the arson on the Highway, the Sikkim administration is keeping in touch with its counterpart in the Hills of Bengal.
The District Collector, Mr A K Singh, informed that 40 vehicles have reached Siliguri town safely under the protection of the West Bengal police. He informed that they are in constant touch with the Darjeeling district magistrate, Mr Soumitra Mohan.
The Superintendent of Police, Mr Manoj Tiwari, said: “The vehicles that were set ablaze had left early in the morning before 5 a.m. when the police were not deployed on the NH-31A”. He added that the highway is now being guarded by the Bengal police personnel and the vehicles from Sikkim are being escorted by them to ensure safety of the passengers.
He further informed that the traffic flow has returned to normalcy.
SNS
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