12 left out communities in Sikkim will get ST status in due course: CM

Gangtok, Apr 4: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday expressed optimism that the 12 left-out communities of the Himalayan state will be granted the Scheduled Tribes (ST) by the Centre in due course.

The chief minister said this while addressing the fourth and final meeting of the Sikkim High-Level Committee (SSHCL) on the issue.

“The 12 left out communities will be granted ST status by the central government in due course as these communities share cultural and ethnic identities of the indigenous people of Sikkim,” he said.

The left-out communities are Bhujel, Gurung, Jogi, Kirat Khambu Rai, Kirat Dewan (Yakha), Khas (Chettri-Bahun), Mangar, Newar, Sanyashi, Sunuwar (Mukhia), Thami and Majhi.

advertisement

Tamang said that the meeting concluded on a hopeful and determined note with all stakeholders pledging their continued efforts to secure constitutional recognition for the 12 left-out communities.

“This journey is not just about legal recognition, it is about ensuring these communities reclaim their rightful place in the socio-political landscape of India,” the CM said.

Besides Tamang, ministers, members of Sikkim Legislative Assembly, ethnic community representatives, researchers, and senior government officials attended the meeting.

“It marks a significant milestone in our collective pursuit of constitutional recognition for these communities,” Tamang said, adding that the SSHLC will prepare a comprehensive ethnographic report for the 12 communities based on rigorous research, extensive field visits, and in-depth consultations, to align with five criteria set by the Government of India for ST inclusion.

The chief minister said he has urged the SSHLC to provide strategic recommendations for engaging with the Government of India where as the elected representatives will actively study and promote the reports, fostering wider political and public support.

Tamang said community organisations will deliberate on the findings, mobilising intellectual and social discourse to strengthen advocacy efforts, while sustained engagement at the national level, including renewed representations to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Tribal Affairs Minister will be held to bring the matter to a logical conclusion. (PTI)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

LSG beat MI by 12 runs: Pandya’s maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket goes in vain

Lucknow, Apr 4: Hardik Pandya's maiden five-wicket haul in...

7 dead as tractor falls into deep well

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Apr 4: Seven women farm labourers, two...

PM Modi meets Yunus, flags concerns over safety of minorities in B’desh

Bangkok, Apr 4: In his first meeting with Bangladesh's...

Govt need to answer Centre’s queries on ILP: Paul  

‘Meghalaya being a transit route for other states a...

All-party meet on Railways soon: Govt  

‘Members of civil society, NGOs to be part of...

Centre to protect NE from external threat: Govt

Shillong, Apr 4: The state government has expressed confidence...

4 Bangla nationals, Indian tout arrested

Shillong, Apr 4: Four Bangladeshi nationals and an Indian...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img