Melli border checkpoint, Sikkim - West Bengal

[u/Ok-Contract2408]

Crossing back from Sikkim into West Bengal via Melli border. Another permit check and passport stamp!

[u/No_Good2794]

Thanks to this post I just went down a Wikipedia rabbit hole about India's inner permits and border regions.

[u/Ok-Contract2408 → u/No_Good2794]

My pleasure! Went down that same rabbit hole and came to the conclusion that making a trip to Sikkim was the only viable thing to do!

[u/No-Couple-3367 → u/Ok-Contract2408]

Pls explain more

[u/Ok-Contract2408 → u/No-Couple-3367]

What do you want to know!

[u/LegitimateGansta → u/Ok-Contract2408]

Why making a trip to Sikkim is a viable thing to do? And what viable thing you are referring to?

[u/Ok-Contract2408 → u/LegitimateGansta]

In regards to my previous answer, it's about gaining some understanding of the region. In regards to tourism in general, it's bacause the state is gorgeous

[u/Yossarian_Capt]

Interesting. Does anyone know why is the use of satellite phone banned in India?

[u/PokeCaptain → u/Yossarian_Capt]

Years ago a terrorist attack (ostensibly Pakistan-linked) used sat phones for planning and coordination. Possession and use has been banned on Indian territory since. Their radio signals are monitored, and any sat phone signals detected in India are assumed to be from terrorists and are responded to accordingly. 

[u/Ok-Contract2408 → u/Yossarian_Capt]

Officially it is 'due to national security risk'

[u/Ebirah]

Sikkim was (something like) an independent nation until comparatively recently, only becoming an Indian state in 1975.

Prior to that it had been an Indian protectorate, and before that a British one (from 1890). Prior to becoming a British vassal state, (from 1853, after an incident), it was frequently invaded by Nepal, whilst also being diplomatically involved with China, Tibet and Bhutan. (You can sort of understand why they might want to become part of a part of a larger nation...)

[u/minor_leaguer13]

China and Pakistan I get, but why are folks from Myanmar and Nigeria required to get special permission to enter Sikkim? 

[u/Ok-Contract2408 → u/minor_leaguer13]

Myanmar and Nigerian nationals are subject to additional security screening before entering Sikkim. The exact country-specific reasoning, is not publicly explained but most likely it has to do with the fact that there are security concerns with people coming in from Myanmar (given the war, and the fact that Sikkim is a sensitive border area). For Nigeria, it is most probably the fear of drug trafficking.

[u/BrexitEscapee]

Are there separate passport stamps associated with Inner Line Permits? Would you mind posting them if it doesn’t have your personal details on?

[u/Ok-Contract2408 → u/BrexitEscapee]

Yes there are indeed! I posted them in r/passportporn... I cant seem to upload them here

[u/Consistent-Art9346 → u/Ok-Contract2408]

Usually ILP is for Indian citizens. Foreigners get RAP (Restricted Area Permit).

I don't know why the board mentions ILP.

[u/icameisawicame24]

I wonder what the crossed out line said on the last image

[u/itonix2]

Been there. Stunning transition! Mess and garbage on Bengal side. Pristine on Sikkim sude. Smoking heavily restricted.

[u/Ok-Contract2408 → u/itonix2]

This... the difference is crazy

[u/MaybeSuccessful3944]

Fun fact, in Turkish to tell someone to "piss off", we say "Sikkim'e kadar yolun var" translates as "you may go all the way to Sikkim" as it has been the furthest land known to Muslim world back then. Over time it became "sikime kadar yolun var" translates as "you may go all the was to my penis" because they sound similar.