Sikkim: NH-10, connecting roads to be open only for Army vehicles

Gangtok: Sikkim government has decide to keep National Highway-10 and other connecting highways open only for ’emergency Army vehicles’ in the wake of border disputes with China in Ladakh.

The decision was taken by chief minister Prem Singh Golay following an all-party meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday evening. The state government has asserted that there are no “border disputes in Sikkim’s border with China”, however the decision was taken as a precautionary measure.

Addressing the media on Saturday morning, press advisor to CM, CP Sharma, and political secretary to the CM, Jacob Khaling, said, “Keeping in mind the border dispute with China, Sikkim also falls in the sensitive zone with army movement taking place. Our chief minister has taken the decision to keep the national highway open for emergency army vehicle movement. It may also include all the connecting highways to be kept free for army movement while also curtailing the civilian vehicle movement, if need be. Keep the road clear is one way of extending support to the country in the current scenario and Sikkim will abide by the guidelines and decisions led by the Central government.”