Gangtok: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has made a startling allegation that certain forces are actively working to prevent 12 left-out communities from gaining tribal status.
Speaking during a one-day session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Tamang blamed the previous government for submitting incorrect reports to the Centre, resulting in the denial of their demand for tribal recognition.
Tamang asserted that the previous government’s mistakes had pushed these communities backward, preventing them from being recognized as Scheduled Tribes. He informed the House that the current government has already passed a resolution in the Assembly, urging the Centre to grant tribal status to these communities. Tamang also revealed that he had repeatedly raised this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that the fight for tribal status is a significant challenge, and Sikkim alone cannot win this battle. Therefore, the state government has decided to collaborate with Darjeeling to push for this demand. Tamang reminded everyone that the demand for Limboo and Tamang communities to be recognized as Scheduled Tribes was also a joint effort between Sikkim and Darjeeling.
However, Tamang expressed concerns that certain elements are working against the interests of the 12 left-out communities. He accused them of creating obstacles and ensuring that these communities remain deprived of tribal status. Despite these challenges, Tamang reaffirmed his government’s strong commitment to securing tribal recognition for them. He stated that the ultimate goal is to make Sikkim a fully tribal state.
The demand for tribal status for the 12 left-out communities has been a long-pending issue in Sikkim. Tamang’s allegations and concerns highlight the complexities and challenges surrounding this issue.
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