Gangtok:22nd Sept: Chief Coordinator Nationalist Sikkimese United Organisation, Deo Kumar Pradhan, has attracted attention of Central Govt , demanding ‘ Tribal Status’. He said let them first convert us to Scheduled Tribes and then kindly do whatever is suitable for the security of country’,he said .Prof MP Lama,he said ‘is responsible for the uproar,’ (due to his report on settlement of Gorkhaland issue).
‘I am talking of this in the interest of people of Darjeeling and Sikkim.I endorse the statement of Journalist NB Ghimerey,who said ,’ It is the birth right of Darjeeling people to say they want Sikkim Darj merger.And birth right of people of Sikkim to say we dont want merger.’
Pradhan traced the history of merger issue to ages back.He mentioned some people criticising Prof MP Lama and said they have been even asking for his resignation as the Economic Adviser to Govt of Sikkim.Predhan stressed this issue is neither of Sikkim nor Darjeeling ,but it is the issue of Centre( Govt).
Deo Kumar Pradhan,claimed having information about alleged merger plans of Govt of India Centre had programme to merge Sikkim with Darjeeling as early as 1975.
Article 371F has provisions to merge Sikkim with Darjeeling .
Pradhan’s interpretation of the provision for ‘not less than 30 members of Sikkim Legislative Assembly’, is ‘. They have plans/ provision to merge other teritory to Sikkim .We have been given only One member of Parliament,what can he do ? If Parliament merges Silkkim Darjeeling we will be helpless,because there is a provision in the Constition(371F) that these issues cant be challenged in a court of law So if anything happens where will we go for justice?
Pradhan reiterated that only way out is to get Tribal status to Gorkhas here and then do the needful.
About the Author
