Delegation of 12 indigenous communities led by Sikkim CM leaves for Delhi to demand tribal status

Prior to their Delhi visit, representatives from 12 communities under the joint banner of Eleven Indigenous Communities of Sikkim held an awareness programme on tribal status of 12 ethnic communities in Gangtok on December 3. All 12 left out communities led by their presidents and their apex organization EICOS held deliberation on the various issues concerning their respective communities.

EICOS Convener Raju Basnet speaking with the media shared, "The resolution adopted today states, that the rights and interests of all these communities have to be restored as it was guaranteed in the May 8 1973 Agreement and Article 371F of the Indian Constitution. With the submission of the ethnographic report, backed by Article 371F, we are hopeful that the resolution will be brought to the parliament in this winter session and declare us tribal."

A resolution has been adopted by the 12 communities which state, "all the communities of Sikkim were enjoying equal status as per seat reservation, job reservation, and all other socio-economic benefits that approved to a tribal of Indian context during the erstwhile Chogyal regime. Even after Sikkim's merger with India, these communities were enjoying tribal status and rights till 1979. When the seats reserved for these communities were abrogated, all other benefits were cut down", shared EICOS Convener.

The delegation led by CM includes 18 members from the TN Dhakal-led committee and also members of EICOS. The Chief Minister will be calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other cabinet ministers in Delhi.

Speaking on the TN Dhakal Committee, Basnet shared, "The committee has prepared an extensive report on the demand of these 12 left-out communities and presented it to the government. The same report will be taken to Delhi and presented before the central leaders".

On raising the issue before 2024 election, Basnet shared, "It is during the election year that all the political leaders have their eyes and ears open, so this an effort to make everyone hear, that our rights and interests should also be preserved and we are crying for justice". (ANI)