It is a vicious cycle that Sikkim never seems to get out of, no matter what. Invariably, we have been again dragged into the bandhs called in the neighbouring Darjeeling and Siliguri-Dooars region, whether we like it or not. It does not matter whether we share the political aspirations or sentiments across the Teesta, the fact remains that we are one way or the other the victims of the unrest in our neighbourhood.
Sikkim’s bumper tourism season is likely to die a premature death, thanks to the series of bandhs connected to the Gorkhaland movement in the Darjeeling Hills from Friday till May 16. Spearheading this renewed call for bandhs is of course the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). Adding salt to the injury is the GJM calling a 10-day strike from June 12 to June 21.
The latest bandh call has not only ended the tourism season for Darjeeling Hills, it has also affected Sikkim.
According to industry insiders, Sikkim is presently enjoying a bumper season with almost all the 600 small and large hotels in Gangtok and tourism packages booked continuously till June 31. Tourists have already left Darjeeling, and those planning their trips have started cancelling their plans following the bandh call. Not only that, tourists headed for Sikkim later this month and in June have also started to cancel their bookings, resulting in a huge loss to the tourism industry.
The tourism sector and the business community in North Bengal has hit out at the West Bengal government for remaining silent to the bandh call. They are of the opinion that over the past two-and-a half years, the tourism sector in North Bengal has suffered, not only because of the frequent strikes and agitation but the silence of the state government as well. It is feared that the frequent bandhs would even discourage tourists from visiting north Bengal during the Durga Puja, which is a peak tourist season for both Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim. Local business will also suffered, especially in Darjeeling Hills where the main source of revenue is tourism.
It remains to be seen whether the GJM will keep its word and keep the National Highway 31A out of the purview of the bandh this time. If not, we have to brace ourselves for another round of forced isolation and undue harassment. The aam janta will suffer, as always.