Block highway, will derecognise: SC to Gorkhaland agitators

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday warned pro and anti-Gorkhaland agitators that blockade of National Highway, the economic lifeline for Sikkim, would bring serious consequences including ‘de-recognition’ of political parties and arrest of their leaders.

“Any further obstruction or blockade of NH 31A by pro or anti-Gorkhaland agitators will bring serious consequences, including detention of their leaders,” said a bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice Deepak Verma and Justice B S Chauhan.

“If anybody causes obstruction on the national highway, the party indulging in it would be de-recognised and their leaders will be arrested”, the court said.

The bench warned the concerned political parties involved in pro and anti-Gorkhaland agitation reminding about its July 3, 2008, order which had asked to keep the highway free from agitation.

It noted that the highway not only connects Sikkim to the rest of the country but also passes through several districts and hilly places like Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Cooch Bihar in West Bengal to ensure supply of essential goods to the hilly region.

Sikkim government had last month moved the apex court against frequent blockade of the highway seeking a direction for West Bengal to ensure smooth traffic and freight movement which has bore the brunt of pro and anti-Gorkhaland protests.