Rahul Gandhi visits Sikkim

Gangtok: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today made an aerial survey of quake-hit North Sikkim, besides visiting an affected village and a hospital here. [caption id=“attachment_88731” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Rahul Gandhi made the aerial survey of the north district which had suffered the maximum number of casualties. Prakash Singh/AFP”] [/caption] Accompanied by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, the Congress General Secretary made the aerial survey of the north district which had suffered the maximum number of casualties — 37, officials said here. After reaching Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri two hours behind schedule due to inclement weather, Gandhi took a chopper and landed at the army helipad in Libing near Gangtok. The Congress leader then visited Lumsey, a residential pocket near Gangtok, which was also visited by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday. Gandhi also visited the Central Referral Hospital, Manipal, here and interacted with the injured. After the aerial survey, he left for Meghalaya. Later arriving at Ampati in Meghalaya from Gangtok, Gandhi said the Sikkim government was happy with the help provided by the Centre in the rescue and relief work following Sunday quake. “The Centre would help as much as possible,” he said, adding ,“I wanted to see the devastation there. I visited some places and met leaders there. The Sikkim government is happy with the help provided so far,” he said. At Ampati in West Garo Hills district, he kicked off a Youth Congress membership drive. PTI