Sikkim: Coordination meeting in Siliguri forms Joint Action Committee for tribal status demand

A coordination meeting was held in Siliguri today, October 6, focusing on the demand for tribal status for the left-out communities of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Dooars. 

The meeting brought together leaders and representatives from these regions to discuss the way forward for securing tribal status for the 12 communities of Sikkim and 11 communities from Darjeeling.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said that the meeting was cultural, not political, and aimed at addressing long-pending demands. "This is a constitutional issue. Today, we discussed various reports, including an infographic and survey report, and decided to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC). The committee will consist of five members each from Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Dooars," said Tamang.

The newly formed "Team for Tribal Status for Sikkim and Darjeeling" will focus on revising and improving reports previously submitted to the Office of the Registrar General of India. "Earlier, both states worked separately, but now we will move forward jointly," Tamang added speaking on past collaborations between Sikkim and Darjeeling for constitutional recognition, such as when the Nepali language was granted constitutional rights and when the Limboo-Tamang communities gained tribal status.

Sikkim representatives for the JAC include Dr. S.K. Rai, Mani Kumar Pradhan, Khilburna Gurung, and Narayan Khatiwada, while the Darjeeling side will be represented by Ramesh Rai, Deepak Pradhan, Bal Bahadur Sharma, D.B. Bhujel, and Dr. Prabin Giri. Dr. S.K. Rai will serve as the committee's president.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said that the demand for tribal status is a community issue, not a political one, and emphasized the constitutional rights of the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim. Both Prem Singh Tamang and Raju Bista have been in regular discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Tribal Ministers and are hopeful of a positive outcome soon.

The Joint Action Committee will now work proactively to submit a fresh report to the Registrar General's office aiming to secure tribal status for the left-out communities in the near future.

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