Khamri RENYU/RENSONG.
It is with much regret and disappointment that we have come to realize the futility of our efforts in the issue of the non recruitment of the Lepcha candidates in the “RIFLEMAN /RECRUIT IN EASTERN FRONTIER RIFLES, WEST BENGAL ”. It has come to our notice that the Lepcha candidates who had cleared the recruitment process were asked to submit “Gorkha certificates” failing which they were asked to submit “Sikkimese” certificate. The entire selection process has come up with series of discrepancies.
The Recruitment notice clearly states that the selection is restricted to “Gorkhas” and Jharuas ((and sub-caste Meches, Kacharis and Rabhas) yet the panel for recruitment admitted Lepcha candidates’ application and no one noticed the error which clearly elaborates the fact that the panel was not aware of Lepchas status as a Scheduled Tribe (non-gorkha) in the State even though the EFR is a state paramilitary unit. The successful Lepcha candidates were asked to submit “Sikkimese” certificate which is but another major discrepancy as the recruitment notice does clearly mentions that the applications are invited from Gorkhas and Jharuas (and sub-caste Meches, Kacharis and Rabhas) only. No where in the notice is there any reference to the word “Sikkimese”.
The Recruitment notice clearly states that the selection is restricted to “Gorkhas” and Jharuas ((and sub-caste Meches, Kacharis and Rabhas) yet the panel for recruitment admitted Lepcha candidates’ application and no one noticed the error which clearly elaborates the fact that the panel was not aware of Lepchas status as a Scheduled Tribe (non-gorkha) in the State even though the EFR is a state paramilitary unit. The successful Lepcha candidates were asked to submit “Sikkimese” certificate which is but another major discrepancy as the recruitment notice does clearly mentions that the applications are invited from Gorkhas and Jharuas (and sub-caste Meches, Kacharis and Rabhas) only. No where in the notice is there any reference to the word “Sikkimese”.
As you may be well aware that the Lepchas (scheduled under Article 342 of the Constitution of India and West Bengal Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe Recognition (Identification) Act, 1994 & SC STs Welfare department Order No.261-TW/EC/MR=103/94 dated 06.04.1995) are the indigenous and the original tribe of the Darjeeling district hills, so categorizing the Lepchas under the head “Sikkimese” with no official notification is inconsistent with the above mentioned constitutional recognition.
Article 371-F was included in the Indian Constitution according to 36th Amendment Act in the year 1975, which were the condition and an agreement between the people of Sikkim and the Indian Union for the merger. In the same manner, Article 371-F (k) protects old laws of Sikkim . Under the same, the definition of the term “Sikkimese” has different Constitutional implication. As such the West Bengal Government cannot issue a certificate to the effect.
The clubbing of Lepchas of Darjeeling Hill District as “Sikkimese” as highly confusing which has adverse ramifications in the near future to the “sons of soil” of the region.
About 400 members of Kalimpong and Darjeeling Lepcha Shejum has gone down to Silguri to protest this discrepancy. The Hunger strike is likely to start from 10.08.2010 In the Tenzing Norgay Bus stand in Siliguri.
I pity the Lepchas for their inconsistencies. The Sikkim Subject Regulation 1961 conferred Sikkim subject right on all Denjongpa Bhutia abd Lepchas of Darjeeling District barring the Kalimpong sub-division who were subject of Sikkim chogyal in 1850. The company annexed Darjeeling District in 1850. They were the ruling elites of Sikkim called Athing kazi yapla and now primitive people. In the process the Lepchas vanished.
ReplyDeleteIt is rude to say the lepchas vanished. Pl.take your word back.
DeleteThe history of sikkim is history of let downs. The lepchas of kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling severed all links with Sikkim long long ago when Rongliot river was still a brook. Gebu Achuk made kalimpong a part of Bhutan in collusion with the Bhutanese. Ever since the Lepchas of kalimpong identified themselves as the subject of Gebu Achuk and never of Sikkim. What is there to confuse us now. A Lepcha can not be Gorkha. There are two types of Gorkhas. One is historical Hindu sect and another is British Gorkha. The British Gorkkha was created by a treaty between Great Britain and Nepal after Seagowly Treaty in 1816. The Treaty was made Tripartite when India became independent in 1947. The Lepchas may be the aborigin of the land but the history of the land is linked to Bhot and Bhutia. Sikkim still has eight number of enclaves in Tibet. There is a permanent representative called 'Ku-tshab' posted at Phari. It is indeed very confusing. The Gebu Achuk Lepchas should know Sikkim extended to Titalia and included Rangpur District of Bangladesh in 1817. There stood a Choten in Titalia in the precint of the Revenue office. Sikkim lost its terai due to malaria. Last victim was young chogyal Sidkeong Tulku who ventured to construct winter residence in Jalpaiguri in 1911. The historical structure was gutted in fire in 2004. The history is very confusing. There was a kazi in charge of Darjeeling as per official correspondence of 1909. People saw the Revenue office of Sikkim in Sukuna as late as the Gelkhola train was running.
ReplyDelete..The main intention of the write up is to highlight the fact that West bengal Govt's clubbing does not dilute the identity of the Lepchas of Darjeeling District.It is pretty much evident that the Lepchas of the District would not in their sane mind,want to be identified as Sikkimese.The entire exercise of the Dharna in Siliguri is to lay emphasis on the above mentioned fact.They have their unique identity and cultural heritage which they can proudly claim as their own.
ReplyDeleteAs for the History of Gyelpa Achog and Damsang Lepchas, The administration of the Sikkimese Chogyals did lack in many ways to alienate the Lepchas. The CHogyals were really not so interested in protecting their dominions. As is evident from the History they found it more convenient to pack off to their "enclaves" in Tibet rather than fight for the kingdom. And for the Kazis and Yaplas..they were the ones who fought for their estates and in a way protected the Sikkim in whole. I guess the Gorkhas would have made inroads right into the heart of SIkkim had it not been for Kabhie CHangzad and Dep Tshang Thakarpo....