One of the four new outlets in Gangtok selling locally produced organic vegetables as an alternative to supplies from the plains that can be hit if the Morcha bandh resumes. (Ashit Rai)

Siliguri, June 30: Bengal home secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti has asserted that the state government, along with the Centre, will take necessary steps to ensure movement of essential commodities to Sikkim through National Highway 31A even if the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s indefinite shutdown resumes from July 6.

The Morcha had blocked the section of the highway that passes through the Darjeeling hills during the earlier phases of the bandh, cutting off the supply lines to the land-locked state.

After attending a high-level meeting in Salbari near Siliguri this evening, Chakrabarti said: “We are aware of the problems faced by residents of Sikkim whenever there is a strike in the Darjeeling hills. The issue has been raised before the Centre too. As discussions with the Morcha have ensued at the bipartite level, we expect and will request the Morcha leadership not to resume the strike which affects the people of the Darjeeling hills as well.”

The home secretary today hinted at deploying extra forces if necessary to keep the highway open.

“If the strike resumes, necessary measures will be taken. At the meeting, we discussed the necessity of extra forces. We will write to the Centre seeking additional forces for the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar,” Chakrabarti added.

Sources said the movement for Greater Cooch Behar — a new state with parts of Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri —was also discussed at the meeting. The home secretary reportedly took note of the law and order in the three districts and described the situation in the Darjeeling hills as “peaceful, but fragile”.

On the Morcha’s decision to change the number plates of vehicles to GL (Gorkhaland) from WB (West Bengal), the home secretary said: “The Motor Vehicles Act defines in detail everything about the registration and numbering of vehicles. If the legislation is flouted and it is noticed, officials in the district administration will take appropriate steps according to the act. There is no need to invoke any new decision or circular. The state is aware of this move and is keeping a close watch.”

Senior officials of the police and civil administration of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar and divisional commissioner Jalpaiguri B.L. Meena attended the meeting.

Asked about the state government’s future moves to resolve the hill problem, Chakrabarti said: “There has been a bipartite meeting and with the chief minister himself handling the issue and holding dialogues with the Morcha leaders, we can hope to agree on some common points. Another bipartite meeting could be held soon, because before going for tripartite talks at the Centre, it is essential that the agenda is fixed at this level.”