Rorathang Urgently Needs a Full-Fledged Police Station and a Primary Health Centre (PHC), A Need of the Hour

Bishnu Dulal

Public safety and quality healthcare are fundamental rights of every citizen. Development cannot be measured solely by the construction of new roads, bridges, or tall buildings. True development is reflected in how safe people feel while returning home at night and how quickly they can access timely medical care during emergencies. Judged by these standards, Rorathang is one of the major industrial and commercial hubs of East Sikkim, continues to lack the essential security and healthcare infrastructure its growing population urgently requires.

In this regard, I sincerely appeal to the Government of Sikkim, the Hon'ble Chief Minister and Area MLA of Rhenock Constituency, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, the Home Department, the Health & Family Welfare Department, and all concerned authorities to upgrade the existing Rorathang Police Outpost into a full-fledged Police Station and to upgrade the existing health dispensary into a fully equipped Primary Health Centre (PHC).

To understand Rorathang's present needs, it is important to remember its history. The devastating floods of 1968 completely washed away the old Rorathang Bazaar, which was situated near Pithang along the Rangpo River. Following the disaster, the town was relocated to its present, safer, elevated location. Since then, Rorathang has steadily evolved into one of Sikkim's most important industrial and commercial centres.

Today, several renowned pharmaceutical companies, including Cipla, Golden Cross Pharma, Lupin, Zuventus Healthcare, Zydus, Alkem, Indichem, and Swiss Garnier Pharmaceuticals, operate in and around Rorathang. The Gati Hydroelectric Project is also located in this region. These industries have attracted a large workforce comprising employees, engineers, technicians, and labourers not only from across Sikkim but also from various parts of the country.

According to the 2011 Census, Rorathang had a population of 4,861. Since then, rapid industrial expansion, commercial growth, and migration have significantly increased both the resident population and the daily floating population, although updated official statistics are yet to be published. Geographically, Rorathang is also a strategically important and sensitive location. It lies along National Highway NH-717A under the Bharatmala Project, connecting Bagrakote to Gangtok. It is also situated near the Reshi-Doban corridor, which links Sikkim with the neighbouring state of West Bengal, making it a busy border region with heavy movement of people and goods. Such an important location cannot continue to depend on a police outpost with limited powers. Rorathang now requires a full-fledged Police Station with adequate manpower, investigative authority, modern equipment, and proper infrastructure.

The difference between a police outpost and a police station is not merely administrative, it directly affects citizens' access to justice. Since the Rorathang Police Outpost does not have independent authority to register a First Information Report (FIR), residents of Rorathang and its surrounding areas, including East Pandam GPU, Chalamthang-Pachekhani, Amba-Taza GPU, Lower Tarethang& Bering, and neighbouring villages, are compelled to travel to Pakyong Police Station even for lodging basic complaints.

In cases involving theft, assault, domestic violence, road accidents, or missing persons, even a delay of a few hours can seriously hamper investigations. Such delays prolong the suffering of victims and weaken public confidence in the justice delivery system.

Furthermore, according to publicly available information, the Rorathang Police Outpost does not even have its own official vehicle or police van. During emergencies, police personnel often have to rely on private motorcycles or taxis to respond. Such a situation is unacceptable and significantly hampers effective policing and timely public service.

The Government of Sikkim's "Drug-Free Sikkim" campaign is a highly commendable initiative. Implemented in coordination with the national "NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan," the campaign has made significant contributions to controlling drug abuse. The government's focus on strengthening surveillance along interstate borders is particularly praiseworthy.

East Sikkim's inclusion as a priority district under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction clearly highlights the vulnerability of border areas like Rorathang. Establishing a full-fledged Police Station here would greatly strengthen efforts to combat drug trafficking, theft, violence, and other criminal activities.

The healthcare situation in Rorathang is equally concerning. The existing health dispensary was established when the population was very small. Today, it is expected to serve thousands of local residents, industrial workers, and daily commuters. However, its infrastructure, manpower, and available medical services are no longer adequate to meet the growing demand.

Considering the increasing risks of industrial accidents, road accidents, medical emergencies, heart attacks, snake bites, and other life-threatening conditions, especially during nighttime, the existing dispensary must be upgraded into a fully equipped Primary Health Centre (PHC) with qualified doctors, 24×7 emergency services, laboratory facilities, ambulance services, and an adequate supply of essential medicines. This is no longer merely a developmental requirement but a vital public necessity.

To improve policing across the wider region, a new Police Outpost may also be established at BangthangPhatak or Padamchey to effectively serve East Pandam GPU, BudangKamerey, and Chalamthang-Pachekhani. Similarly, establishing another Police Outpost at Mamring, the centrally located area of Amba-Taza GPU, would further strengthen law enforcement and improve public access to police services throughout the region.

These are not political demands. They are genuine and justified public demands based on changing times, rapid population growth, expanding industrial development, and the urgent need to ensure public safety and accessible healthcare.

Therefore, I earnestly request the Government of Sikkim, the Hon'ble Chief Minister, the Home Department, the Health & Family Welfare Department, and all concerned authorities to conduct an immediate field assessment of Rorathang and implement the following measures:-

i) Upgrade the Rorathang Police Outpost into a fully empowered and fully equipped Police Station.

ii) Provide adequate police personnel, investigative powers, modern equipment, an official patrol vehicle, and a police van.

iii) Upgrade the existing health dispensary into a fully equipped Primary Health Centre (PHC).

iv) Establish new Police Outposts at Bangthang Gate or Padamche and at Mamring.

The people of Rorathang and the surrounding areas have made significant contributions to Sikkim's industrial and economic growth. They should no longer be forced to travel long distances merely to register a simple FIR. Nor should they continue to lose the precious "golden hour" during medical emergencies due to the absence of nearby emergency healthcare facilities.

Public safety and public health should not become priorities only after a town grows much larger. Good governance lies in anticipating future needs and providing essential infrastructure in time to safeguard the lives, dignity, and future of the people.

(Views are personal. Email: dulalb986@gmail.com. Ph. 9064802856)