GANGTOK, 11 Feb: Today was the third day of the indefinite bandh in the neighbouring Darjeeling Hills, which has, this time, included Sikkim traffic on NH31A passing through Darjeeling district in its purview. The suddenness with which this bandh was called and enforced [in the wake of the death of two GJM supporters in a police firing at Sibchu] had caught Sikkim off-guard and with no time to stock up on provisions. The GJM has otherwise kept Sikkim traffic out of the purview of its bandhs of late.
Now, three days into the bandh with only SNT convoys allowed through to Siliguri, stocks are running low in Sikkim, especially those of perishable items. The Sunday haat this week will, in all probability, offer very slim picking for shoppers with supplies from Siliguri blocked out.
The SDM, East District, Dr. AB Karki, today confirmed that stocks were indeed running low.
Not only perishable goods, even stocks of petroleum products, including LPG, have reached scarcity levels. It did not help matters that the only vehicle vandalized in the latest bandh was a tanker belonging to a Gangtok petrol pump.
The SDM however also brings in positive tidings with information that 18 trucks of LPG and a similar number of petrol tankers are scheduled to arrive in the capital by Saturday evening. These will definitely ease the situation.
“The Rangpo P.I. will be the in-charge of this consignment and West Bengal Police will escort these trucks and tankers into Sikkim from Siliguri,” Dr. Karki informed.
On today’s status of vehicular traffic beyond Rangpo [to Siliguri], the SDM informs, “A total of 38 vehicles, including 21 buses, had entered Sikkim by 3 p.m. Completing the journey to Siliguri were a total of 48 vehicles, including 14 buses and 11 trucks.”
The SDM further informed that the SI Rangpo has been coordinating a single convoy till today, but given the number of people who need to travel, starting Saturday, two convoys each from Siliguri and Rangpo will be tried.
Now, three days into the bandh with only SNT convoys allowed through to Siliguri, stocks are running low in Sikkim, especially those of perishable items. The Sunday haat this week will, in all probability, offer very slim picking for shoppers with supplies from Siliguri blocked out.
The SDM, East District, Dr. AB Karki, today confirmed that stocks were indeed running low.
Not only perishable goods, even stocks of petroleum products, including LPG, have reached scarcity levels. It did not help matters that the only vehicle vandalized in the latest bandh was a tanker belonging to a Gangtok petrol pump.
The SDM however also brings in positive tidings with information that 18 trucks of LPG and a similar number of petrol tankers are scheduled to arrive in the capital by Saturday evening. These will definitely ease the situation.
“The Rangpo P.I. will be the in-charge of this consignment and West Bengal Police will escort these trucks and tankers into Sikkim from Siliguri,” Dr. Karki informed.
On today’s status of vehicular traffic beyond Rangpo [to Siliguri], the SDM informs, “A total of 38 vehicles, including 21 buses, had entered Sikkim by 3 p.m. Completing the journey to Siliguri were a total of 48 vehicles, including 14 buses and 11 trucks.”
The SDM further informed that the SI Rangpo has been coordinating a single convoy till today, but given the number of people who need to travel, starting Saturday, two convoys each from Siliguri and Rangpo will be tried.
[SUBASH RAI]
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