Sikkim: Muslims Protest Against Govt’s Move to Turn Burial Ground to Truck Stand

Namchi, November 23, 2019:

Muslims have taken to the streets of Namchi in Sikkim to protest against the state government’s decision to turn burial ground to a truck stand.

They have demanded justice and immediate withdrawal of the move to mark the Muslim graveyard with a truck stand.

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Muslim shopkeepers of Namchi have also shut their businesses for the day to protest the government’s decision to allot their burial ground for the truck stand.

It may be mentioned here that the graveyard is situated at 12th Mile on the Jorethang-Namchi stretch. The Muslim community of Namchi had been using it since the pre-merger days.

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The work for building truck stand has already begun, which has compelled the community to come together and demand justice.

A local questioned the administration’s move to deny Muslims the right to a decent burial. He expressed disappointment over the decision as the graveyard has memories of their ancestors.

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