Don't block lifeline, Sikkim's plea to SC


NEW DELHI: Gorkhaland supporters’ decision to emulate the Telangana agitation in north-west West Bengal had an unusual fallout. The Sikkim
government rushed to the Supreme Court and pleaded that it be saved from being cut-off from the rest of the country.

The SOS was made by senior advocate A Mariarputham on Monday before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices J M Panchal and B S Chauhan. Mariarputham said frequent closure of NH-31, the lifeline of the state, by pro- and anti-Gorkhaland agitationists, seriously hampered normal life in the small, landlocked state and the latest agitation by Gorkhaland supporters had the potential of holding up essential supplies to the north-eastern state.

The counsel pleaded with the apex court to direct the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government as well as the Centre to ensure smooth traffic and carriage of goods on NH-31, by keeping the Gorkhaland agitationists off it.

Sikkim has filed a petition seeking a permanent solution to its woes. Sikkim’s application came in a pending PIL, which was filed by one O P Bhandari who had raised identical issues in 2005.

The Bench said it was for the West Bengal government and the Centre to ensure essential supplies to the state and adjourned hearing on it. The agitation is centred around Darjeeling hills, Siliguri, Kalimpong and New Jalpaiguri areas, all of which are in West Bengal. NH-31 passes through Siliguri.

The Sikkim government said closure of NH-31 choked supply of essential goods as well as material for building infrastructure in the state, while also scaring away tourists, who do not want to be stranded for days.