SIKKIM: Sikkimese people are being fooled about Constitutional protection: SNPP
Posted by barunroy on March 29, 2009
FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS
Tseten D Lepcha
GANGTOK: The ‘locals first’ plank of Sikkim National Peoples Party (SNPP) today reached Rhenock where the party triad of Biraj Adikhari (president), Tseten D Lepcha (working president) and Diley Namgyal Kazi (treasurer) briefed the people on Haat Day about protecting Article 371F and identity of Sikkimese people.
A party release informs that Mr. Adikhari in his speech stressed that SNPP stands ‘by its demand that if the State government and the Central government do not protect Article 371F, then the party stands firm on its demand of reversal to the 35th amendment and grant of Associate State status’.
Mr. Adikhari lamented the fact that the existence of the Article in the constitution in the present state is an ‘insult to the Sikkimese people who are being fooled about protection which does not exist in reality and the letter and spirit’. He elaborated on the fact that the present rate of influx is damaging the future of the coming generations and ‘at present the state of our youth has deteriorated beyond repair’.
The SNPP president also talked about the party manifesto and elaborated the sad condition of the education system and how the younger generation has basically become directionless because of this, the release adds.
In his speech, Mr. Kazi explained why it was necessary to open SNPP, as the Sikkimese people had lost their identity and their right to self determination. He explained that while all the protection put into the constitution was to ensure that ‘our identity is preserved, but unfortunately our own Governments have been violating it continuously’, the release states.
Mr. Lepcha also addressed the meeting where he explained the reasons for the party’s stand regarding the continuation of central service officers. He said that ‘now our own children are ready to take up these jobs and we do not need them any more’, the release adds.
The meeting was also addressed by SNPP youth convener Cheong Bhutia and general secretary Tikendra Sharma.
