Padyatris submit memorandum to Governor on various issues

GANGTOK,: The Sikkim Jan Sarokar Sachetna Padyatra has concluded with the padyatris reaching Gangtok on Friday and submitting a memorandum to Governor Ganga Prasad at Raj Bhawan on Saturday.

It took 13 days for the yatra to complete their all-Sikkim foot rally having started on January 9 from Yuksam, West Sikkim and covering all the six districts. The group ‘Concerned Citizens of Sikkim’ had six members who walked the entire distance and were escorted by several members at different areas.

At the conclusion of the padyatra today, the team submitted a nine-page memorandum having six-point demands for safeguarding rights and identity of Sikkimese people to the Governor.

The six padyatris are Santosh Gautam and Suraj Chettri from Geyzing, Ganga Gurung from Rangpo, Binod Subba from Soreng, Anuraj Chettri from Hee Gaon and Gopal Gurung from Rongli.

Speaking to media here this afternoon, team member Santosh Gautam shared that the Sikkim Jan Sarokar Sachetna Padyatra aimed to create awareness among Sikkimese people on their rights under Article 371F and dilution of old laws of Sikkim. He stated that this initiative was totally apolitical and was taken only to create mass awareness among the people of Sikkim. He added that a signature campaign was also organized by the team throughout the march on its six-point memorandum.

The group mentioned about their six major demands which included implementation of Inner Line Permit in Sikkim, cancellation of fake voter cards obtained illegally, cancellation of fake vehicle permits and trade licenses and cancellation of sublet trade license.

In our memorandum, we have also demanded the cancellation of the government notification of Home department issued in 2018 to stop registration of land in municipal areas to Residential Certificate holders and deregistration of such registered land, said Gautam. He said the memorandum also demands to introduce the old laws of Sikkim in the school curriculum and in the training courses of panchayats, Urban Local Bodies and officials.

We have submitted a copy of the memorandum and also appraised our demands and pertaining issues of Sikkim to the Governor who has assured to take the matter to the State government and the Centre, Gautam said. He mentioned that the team also went to meet and submit its memorandum to the Chief Minister today but could not meet due to his busy schedule.

“We did our duty by trying to meet the Chief Minister on matters related with the people of Sikkim. We will wait whether he will fulfil his duty and give us an appointment,” said the group.

It was informed that the team is sending a copy of the memorandum to Union Home minister Amit Shah tomorrow through post.