Rajnath assures Sikkim CM of security of NH 10

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday assured the Sikkim government that the Centre will ensure the security of national highway 10, the lifeline of the landlocked state, which is facing crisis of essential commodities in the wake of protests and counter-protests over the demand for Gorkhaland in neighbouring West Bengal. During a telephonic conversation with Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, the home minister discussed the security situation in the state and areas neighbouring West Bengal.

"I assured him that the Centre will ensure the safety & security of NH 10 and do everything possible to save people of the state from any misery," he tweeted.

Singh also directed Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to coordinate with the West Bengal administration and ensure the safety, security and smooth traffic on NH 10, which connects Siliguri in West Bengal with Sikkim capital Gangtok. Reports said traffic between Siliguri and Gangtok was affected as drivers of West Bengal-registered vehicles stopped plying to Sikkim.

There have been several incidents reported in the past week when Sikkim-registered trucks were vandalised and looted by unidentified miscreants in Siliguri.