Gangtok, Sept. 20: Mamata Banerjee today became the first chief minister of Bengal to cross the Teesta and enter Sikkim, building a symbolic bridge for handling issues emerging out of the Darjeeling hills.
Sikkim had in the past suffered because of the Gorkhaland agitation, which led to repeated blockade of NH31A, the state’s sole link with the rest of the country.
A trouble-free Darjeeling means fewer worries for chief minister Pawan Chamling, while a friendly neighbour would ensure that Mamata can breathe easier.
The two chief ministers met at a guesthouse. “The Bengal chief minister’s visit is the biggest issue (for the moment). I thank her for her visit at this hour,” Chamling said after their 20-minute interaction.
Mamata said the people of Bengal and Sikkim were like “brothers and sisters…. Darjeeling, Kurseong, Jalpaiguri and Sikkim have been badly affected. The chief minister (Chamling) said that the death toll has now touched 50 and we have to work together at such times. Our people (from Bengal) are already helping,” Mamata said.
Mamata also visited two hospitals where many of the injured have been admitted.
The chief minister’s whirlwind visit to Sikkim ended late in the evening as she stepped into a bungalow on Siliguri outskirts around 9.40.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110921/jsp/frontpage/story_14533961.jsp
Sikkim had in the past suffered because of the Gorkhaland agitation, which led to repeated blockade of NH31A, the state’s sole link with the rest of the country.
A trouble-free Darjeeling means fewer worries for chief minister Pawan Chamling, while a friendly neighbour would ensure that Mamata can breathe easier.
The two chief ministers met at a guesthouse. “The Bengal chief minister’s visit is the biggest issue (for the moment). I thank her for her visit at this hour,” Chamling said after their 20-minute interaction.
Mamata said the people of Bengal and Sikkim were like “brothers and sisters…. Darjeeling, Kurseong, Jalpaiguri and Sikkim have been badly affected. The chief minister (Chamling) said that the death toll has now touched 50 and we have to work together at such times. Our people (from Bengal) are already helping,” Mamata said.
Mamata also visited two hospitals where many of the injured have been admitted.
The chief minister’s whirlwind visit to Sikkim ended late in the evening as she stepped into a bungalow on Siliguri outskirts around 9.40.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110921/jsp/frontpage/story_14533961.jsp