The delegation of Forum for Constitutional Rights of Tamangs & Limboos of Sikkim, (FORCOTALIS)

30th; April;16

The delegation of Forum for Constitutional Rights of Tamangs & Limboos of Sikkim, (FORCOTALIS) who are already in the capital since 28th April 2016, has met and submitted a memorandum to Mr. Ashok Pai, Joint Secretary, and Ministry of Tribal Affairs on 29th April 2016 at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. Mr. Pai is heading a committee to examine and recommend regarding granting of Schedule Tribe status to eleven left-out communities namely, Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami, Yakha(Dewan) and Dhimal living in Sikkim and other Gorkha dominated States and areas. During the course of the discussion, Mr. Ashok Kumar Subba (Chong), President, (FORCOTALIS), has stressed the need to include all the eleven left-out communities in the Schedule Tribe category. He further argued that all the eleven left-out communities qualify to be Schedule Tribes on the basis of their respective customs, traditions and Cultures.

He highlighted that the community 'Khas' by all means refer to the present Chettris and Bahuns and should not be misled by anyone. Technically, it includes Jogi,Kami, Damai, Sanyasi & Newar and also very many Hill Tribes.

Mr. N. B. khatiwada, Ex MLA, confronted that Gorkha is the correct nomenclature for the Sikkim - Nepalese and referred the matter to the two important Treaties of Segauli & Titaliya to support his claim. He emphasized the existence of Gorkhas in Sikkim prior to the 16th century as per the New Encyclopedia Britannica.

Mr. Nahkul Rai, Former MP, urged Mr. Ashok Pai, that it would be most befitting in the present context to grant and recommend the eleven left-out communities in the Schedule Tribe status which is a long- time demand of the people of Sikkim. Mr.  I. S. Limbu, one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court Limboo-Tamang case, Mr.  Pradeep Yonzon Ex MLA, Mr. Nima Theeng and Dinku Khati, were part of the delegation.