Prem Singh Tamang Writes to all State CMs, Seeks Help for Stuck Sikkimese

Gangtok, March 29, 2020:

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has sought help and support for the Sikkimese students and employees who are stuck in other States of India amid the nationwide lockdown.

After several videos of Sikkim citizens being stuck in other States went viral on social media, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang sent out letters to the Chief Ministers of all the States of the country requesting the respective Governments to provide those stuck with necessary support and guidance amid the lockdown.

"Like every other State, Sikkim has been in lockdown since 25th March, 2020. Our Government has taken every preventive measure to ensure the safety of our people and those belonging to different parts of the country residing in Sikkim. We have been regularly monitoring the situation and providing relief as per the situation," wrote Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in his letters.

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Tamang added, "Similarly, a large number of students, workers, pilgrims and professionals, from Sikkim currently in your state may be facing difficulties and need your support. Therefore, I request your kind office to provide them with necessary support and guidance at this hour of need."

Additionally, "If someone from your state is presently in Sikkim, they may be directed to contact to Shri S.D Dhakal, Secretary to Chief Minister in his mail ID sd.dhakal@gmail.com and his mobile number 9593377890," he stated.

It may be mentioned here that many Sikkimese students took to social media as a last resort in order to appeal the Government to enable their homecoming. Sikkim girl Priyanka Chettri, who was stuck in Pune, had earlier appealed to Sikkim Government to help her return home amid lockdown.

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“I initially believed that the lockdown will last till April 15 but here in Pune, people are saying that the lockdown will continue till June 15. The Government should think about us. How will we stay away from our families here? What will we do here for so long?,” said Priyanka.

She added that she was not alone but many from the Northeastern part of the country are stuck in Pune, Maharashtra. “I request the Government to arrange for our return to our homes. We will pay for our tickets but there has to be something to reach home. There are no flights, no trains, even local auto are not plying. In this scenario, how will we manage here away from our families till June 15. The Government should think of us.”

Alina Gurung, a Sikkimese student studying in Himachal wrote, “We the students of Abhilashi University, chail chowk, district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh (resident of Sikkim) would like to request you to please accept this letter so that we have the allowance to get back to Sikkim.”

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Gurung, in her post further added that the Sikkimese students have been facing a lot of difficulties amid the lockdown. She further adds that none of the Sikkimese students have come in contact with COVID-19 positive patients and invites the Government to perform tests on them, if required.

Another student from Sikkim, Sushmita Chhetri, who is studying in Karnataka College of Nursing in Bangalore said, “we’re all stuck in here because of the ongoing curfew. Me and many other students have booked the flights on 25th and other following dates. Looking forward to the ongoing health crisis, we feel unsafe to be here, the cases have reached more than 30, shops are shutting down, meals have been reduced.” Chettri further adds that their state, Sikkim, which is yet to report any cases, is much more safer.

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