Sikkim-based social activist Muk Hang Limboo has urged the state Home Department to intervene over an alleged geolocation anomaly on social media platform X, where Gangtok is reportedly displayed as “Gangtok, Xinjiang” instead of “Gangtok, Sikkim, India” while selecting a location for posts.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, Limboo said documentary evidence submitted with his representation showed that while other locations in Sikkim, including Gyalshing, Namchi, Rangpo, Singtam, Mangan and Singhik, were correctly identified as being in India, only Gangtok was shown as “Gangtok, Xinjiang.”
Describing the issue as one of significant public importance, Limboo said Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim and an integral part of India, should be accurately represented on global digital platforms. He argued that any incorrect digital representation could mislead users, create confusion over India’s territorial integrity and adversely affect the digital identity of both Sikkim and the country.
While stating that the reason behind the apparent anomaly has not yet been established, the activist urged the Home Department to examine the matter and coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and X to determine the cause of the incorrect location display and ensure it is corrected to “Gangtok, Sikkim, India.”
Limboo also requested the state government to verify whether similar discrepancies exist on other digital platforms and take appropriate steps to safeguard the accurate digital representation of Sikkim.
He added that he had separately submitted a representation, along with the same documentary evidence, to the Prime Minister, seeking intervention to ensure the correct digital identification of Sikkim and uphold India’s sovereignty.
