Sikkim to stand by ‘GL’ plates

Darjeeling, Oct. 23: Plying vehicles with “GL” number plates is unlawful and drivers can be booked for it, but that is not the case in Sikkim.

Since July 7, the day the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha made “GL” mandatory, private vehicles with the “new” plates have been travelling to the hill state without being hauled up by police there. There are indications that the Sikkim government will stick to this policy in the days to come.

B.B. Gurung, the political adviser to Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling, admitted that his government had decided to turn a blind eye to “GL” vehicles. “It was evident on the day Bimal Gurung himself drove to Gangtok in a vehicle with ‘GL’ number plate,” said Gurung over the phone.

The Morha president had visited Sikkim in August. Gurung admitted that the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front had always supported the “sentimental issue”. “Actions speak louder than words,” he said.

Sikkim’s decision to refrain from booking “GL” cars under the motor vehicles act has embarrassed Bengal, but observers believe that little can be done about it especially since the state government here has failed to take against the errant drivers in the Darjeeling hills. But vehicles with “GL” number plates have been seized in the plains and the Dooars.

The ABGL today criticised the Morcha for softening its agitation following the governor’s request. “The movement is a got-up game between the Morcha and the state government. Bimal Gurung met the state home secretary at Tinchulay (in Takdha) on October 11. They then decided to withdraw the movement. One day they will drop the Gorkhaland movement following a request from the state government,” said ABGL president Madan Tamang.

He hinted that even Subash Ghisingh had decided to drop Gorkhaland and accept the DGHC on the request of the state and the Centre.