GANGTOK, May 4 � The fifth edition of Indo-China border trade through Nathula border was officially announced open yesterday.
However, no business took place on the first day due to a mishap causing injuries to two Custom officials. The vehicle of the Custom officials which was heading to the border was hit by boulders leaving the two officials injured at 13th Mile near Kyongnosla. Those injured were Havaldar AK Dey and Inspector Prashant Rasaily.
�We decided to take the injured officers to Gangtok hospital. As a result of which we could not reach up to Nathula border�, said P T Bhutia, Superintendent of Custom Department.
Nevertheless the traders participation from both India and China was satisfactory on the first day although they could not cross the respective borders. The Chinese traders who had reached the border in the morning had to return.
The traders from Sikkim who had left for Renquinngang (TAR trade destination mart) also had to return from the border due to non-clearance of custom procedure.
The trade will resume normally from tomorrow, said an official.
According to information from District administration this year nearly 160 traders had applied for trade pass out of which 52 were issued.
Tripura CM bereaved
Agartala, May 4 � Ela Bhattacharya, the mother-in-law of Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar died at her residence at Krishnanagar here last night.
She was 89 and is survived by four daughters and a son.
She was suffering from old-age problems for the last few years.
Bhattacharya was a prominent woman leader of the ruling CPI-M and a member of the Rajya Sabha during 1980-86. � PTI
