Gangtok June 19 (IANS) Tourism in Sikkim has been hit by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha-sponsored indefinite shutdown and clashes in neighbouring Darjeeling and Kalimpong said Ugen T. Gyatso Sikkim s Tourism Minister.
Early on Monday pro-Gorkhaland activists blocked National Highway 10 that connects Siliguri in North Bengal to Sikkim bringing traffic to a standstill.
According to the tourism department of Sikkim there has been a fall in the number of tourists since the Darjeeling unrest as security is a major concern.
Nearly 17-18 buses are plying every day between Sikkim and Siliguri in North Bengal. So the tourists are coming here. However the number of tourists has gone down a little bit Gyatso told IANS.
The tourists are a bit scared to come here as they would have to travel through the violence-stricken area. We are trying to sort out the situation by talking to the authorities he said.
On Monday the GJM shutdown entered its eighth day to push for a separate Gorkhaland state.
Sikkim situated roughly 126 km north of Darjeeling is famous for its picturesque tourist destinations including its scenic capital Gangtok.
--IANS
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Sikkim tourism hit after Darjeeling unrest: Minister
