Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) Lok Sabha MP Dr. Indra Hang Subba urged the central government to address a series of pressing issues that directly impact Sikkim and have far-reaching national implications. Representing the voice of Sikkim in the national forum, Dr. Subba called for a holistic approach to challenges that affect the region’s ecology, youth, infrastructure, and security. Speaking in clear and firm terms, he said these were not isolated concerns of a small Himalayan state, but urgent matters that require collective national attention. One of the most serious concerns raised by the MP was the alarming retreat of glaciers and the rapid expansion of glacial lakes in the Eastern Himalayas. Referring to the October 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that wreaked havoc in parts of Sikkim, he said, “If we do not address this environmental crisis now, we are heading towards a severe water shortage that will affect not just Sikkim but the entire Indian subcontinent.”
He urged Parliament to hold a special discussion on the Himalayan climate crisis, warning that receding glaciers pose a direct threat to India’s long-term water security. Equally pressing was his concern about the growing drug menace in border regions and remote parts of the Northeast. Dr. Subba called for a robust national framework to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse, stressing the need for strong legislation, enhanced law enforcement, and awareness programs. “Our youth are the future of this country. We must act now to protect them from this growing threat,” he said.The MP also brought attention to the lack of adequate road and digital connectivity in Sikkim’s forward areas. He pointed out that several border outposts remain poorly connected, affecting both local livelihoods and national security preparedness.
“Infrastructure development in strategic regions like Sikkim is not just about development; it is also a matter of national interest,” he remarked. Dr. Subba highlighted how this issue is silently affecting young individuals’ mental health, financial well-being, and social relationships. “This is not just a lifestyle issue—it’s turning into a social crisis. We need a national policy to regulate online gaming and protect families,” he said.