GANGTOK, : The Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim maintained that the
high-level committee meeting by the Sikkim government in New Delhi on February
10 was merely an ‘eye-wash’.
Speaking
at a press meet here on Tuesday, CAP Sikkim spokesperson Mahesh Rai and Albert
Gurung based the party’s stand on the rescinded press statement issued by a SKM
spokesperson on January 28 following the SKM legislators’ meeting.
The
press statement on the SKM legislators’ meeting, later revised, initially
mentioned that Chief Minister PS Golay would chair a high-level meeting between
representatives of the left-out communities of Sikkim and Darjeeling in New
Delhi on February 10.
“It
mentioned that the meeting would discuss various regional issues concerning
Sikkim and Darjeeling but later a revised statement was issued by the SKM,
omitting the mention of the high-level meeting in New Delhi. Few days later,
minister Raju Basnet, through a Facebook post, stated that no such meeting
would be held on February 10,” said CAP Sikkim spokesperson Mahesh Rai.
Rai
added that the Darjeeling-based GNLF thanked the Sikkim government for organizing
a meeting between Sikkim and Darjeeling, and welcomed Golay’s decision to
conduct the meeting in New Delhi on February 10.
“Following
this, the entire cabinet of the Sikkim government travelled to Delhi. When the
secret meeting was exposed and became public, they were unable to proceed with
it. In an attempt to prove they were working for Sikkim and to mislead the
public, they hastily conducted the meeting yesterday in Delhi, claiming they
had discussed a draft for the high-level meeting. However, yesterday’s meeting
was nothing but an eye-wash for the people of Sikkim,” he
added.
The
New Delhi meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister, saw the Sikkim State High
Level Committee submitting its draft report for discussions regarding the
tribal status demand of the 12 left-out communities of Sikkim. It was attended
by ministers, MLAs and officials of the Sikkim government and representatives
of the left-out communities.
“The
Sikkim State High-Level Committee (SSHLC) was formed on November 4, 2024. After
three months, why are they still hosting meetings to discuss a draft instead of
presenting the final report?" questioned the CAP Sikkim spokesperson.
At
the press meet, the CAP Sikkim also criticized the State government’s hasty
decision on tenant registration and labourer verification, stating that it was
merely a mode of revenue generation by the State government.
“The
CAP Sikkim supports the decision of the State government, but why was the
notification issued overnight? It is harassment for the public, who are forced
to stand in long queues at the State Bank of Sikkim for bank receipts. It is
also harassment for landlords. The government should have a proper plan and
policy for the benefit of the public. Was the Chief Minister inspired by Donald
Trump’s decision to deport illegal immigrants from the USA?,” questioned CAP Sikkim
spokesperson Albert Gurung.
The
verification drive is said to be initiated to curb influx and maintain a
database of migrant workers but the locals and long-term residents of Sikkim
are facing harassment, said the CAP Sikkim.
“Our
main concern remains the need to curb the influx and protect the identity of
Sikkim. In its 2019 manifesto, the SKM party clearly stated that, upon coming
to power, they would introduce and pass the Local Protection Act in the
Assembly. However, despite being in power for several years, they have not
taken the issue of migration seriously. When the opposition previously raised
concerns, the government was least bothered, so why this sudden urgency now? We
urge the State government to develop a proper roadmap to control the influx in Sikkim,
as hasty decisions will not resolve the issue. We suggest that locals should be
refunded for tenant registration fees,” said the CAP Sikkim spokespersons.
