Committee formed to re-open Jelep-La trade route through Kalimpong

 MUKESH SHARMA Kalimpong, May 20 Prior to the Sino-India war the trade between the two countries was through the Nathula and Jelep La pass but it was after the war in 1962 the trade between the two was closed down permanently. It was again in the year 2006 that the government of India decided to continue the border trade through Nathula, but the continues snowfall of 8 months did not added much to the exchequer of the country. Now it has been learnt that the government of India has been eying the Jelep La pass for the trade between the two nations. The pass is in Sikkim and the route connects Lhasa to India had two routes, one through Gangtok and the other through Kalimpong. 

 The Kalimpong route is an ancient one which was responsible for the boost in the local economy due to the trading of wool and furs early last century. It passes through the towns of Pedong in northern West Bengal, Rhenok, and Kupup. As per the information the Jelep La pass is more stable and could add much in the national treasury. Earlier for the Jelep La trade, two go downs used to be in Pedong and 11th mile at Kalimpong. The elders and the old aged people when talks about the stories about Jelep La pass, it causes much curiosity. A special source also tells that the central government has asked the Bengal government to submit the reports of the route. On the other hand the people of Pedong have many times demanded the opening of the said route. A meeting for the issue was today held under the chairmanship of Binod Pradhan in Pedong. The committee formed the Jelep La Indo-China trade route demand committee and the committee shall approach the concerned department under government of India for the re-opening of the said route. 

 The newly formed committee had Franchise Dewan as the president, Binod Pradhan as vice president, Rupen Rai as general secretary, assistant secretary as Dawa Lepcha, Tshering Tenka Bhutia as the treasurer, chief coordinator cum finance chairman as Sarita Rai along with 7 other members. It is due to the pass that the Chinese and the Tibetans resides in Kalimpong and surrounding places. The Tibetans who are refuge narrates the then stories of the Jelep La pass. The president of the committee said that the necessary documents will be find out and then will approach to the concerned department of the State and the Central government.