rediff.com: Strike by GNLF cuts off Sikkim


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Sikkim cut off for fourth consecutive day

Sikkim continued to remain cut off from the rest of the country for the fourth day on Wednesday with the state government arranging evacuation of tourists stranded in Gangtok following an indefinite strike called by the Gorkha National Liberation Front in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district since Sunday.

Since army choppers and other defence sources are not available, we are sending the tourists by bus, said a senior official of the state's tourism department in Gangtok.

The strike has paralysed vehicular traffic movement along National Highway 31A, the lifeline of Sikkim, which passes through the strike-affected areas.

The government had arranged for a bus on Monday to evacuate a group of stranded tourists. But the process was suspended on Tuesday following some 'tension' on NH 31A, which forced the authorities to ask for defence choppers.

The official said GNLF leaders have been urged to allow safe passage to the tourists.

Sikkim government had on Tuesday approached the Centre for choppers to help evacuate stranded tourists from the state. The Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation's copter has been ferrying tourists between Gangtok and Bagdogra averaging 16 trips a day.

The stir has affected postal services in the state and supply of essential commodities like vegetables.

EARLIER REPORT
Sikkim cut-off for third day

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