Footballer-Turned-Politician Bhaichung Bhutia Demands Inner Line Permit In Sikkim

Sikkim Inner Line Permit: "It is unfortunate that our Chief Minister did not think of raising the demand for the introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Sikkim," Bhaichung Bhutia said.

Football icon and Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) chief Bhaichung Bhutia demanded Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Sikkim, hitting out at Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for not raising the issue with the Centre during his visit to New Delhi. Mr Bhutia, the national football icon, said most northeast states with international borders have the Inner Line Permit in place and Sikkim should also have it. "It is unfortunate that our Chief Minister did not think of raising the demand for the introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Sikkim," he said on Thursday. Instead, the Chief Minister gave a green signal to the Centre to further dilute the provisions of Article 371F, which protects the rights of the Sikkimese people, Mr Bhutia claimed.