Tuesday, December 27 2005 15:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Siliguri (WB): Sikkim was cut off today (Dec 27, 2005) after activists of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) blocked the arterial National Highway 31A at Rambhi from 6.00 am today.

The GNLF has given a call for 72-hour road blockade demanding arrest of CPI(M) and Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) workers who clashed with GNLF supporters on December nine.

The clash occurred when GNLF activists were coming to Bagdogra airport near here to receive their party chief Subash Ghising. A few persons were injured and some two-wheelers were set on fire during the clash.

Sources at the Sikkim Nationalised Transport depot here said that no SNT bus to Sikkim was run during the day because of the blockade.

A GNLF leader Milan Pradhan, told sources from the blockade site that the situation was peaceful with only vehicles carrying patients being allowed on the highway.

The Darjeeling District Magistrate told sources that he had despatched a magistrate to the spot to ensure peace and law and order.

A report from Gangtok said that tourists were seen stranded at the taxi stand because of lack of transport to Siliguri.