HSP to hold ‘Jan Sansad’ on ILP demand

GANGTOK,: The Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) is holding a ‘Jan Sansad’ for discussions with various political and apolitical organisations over the demand of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Sikkim as the “need of the hour”.

The ‘Jan Sansad’ is taking place on October 16 at Adampool, located some 12 km away from Gangtok towards Ranipool.

Speaking with media here on Friday, HSP president Bhaichung Bhutia said the ILP system for Sikkim is the “need of hour” as rising influx can completely change the demography of Sikkim in future. Sikkim has the lowest fertility rate but the total number of voters increased by 17% from 2014 to 2019 which is primarily due to uncontrolled influx and illegal voters, he said.

Bhaichung added that ILP for Sikkim is also important in terms of national security as the State shares three international borders. He pointed out that four other Northeastern States already have ILP and similar protection for Sikkim could have been pursued with Union Home minister Amit Shah when he visited Gangtok on October 7.

“However, Chief Minister P.S. Golay did not make the ILP demand as he is the weakest Chief Minister in Sikkim’s history. He made a backdoor entry to become a puppet Chief Minister and is only concerned on how to save his chair,” said Bhaichung.

The HSP president said the ‘Jan Sansad’ will have serious discussions on issues like influx, fake domicile documents and fake voter cards. We have invited all political parties and it is time that we rise above party politics and work for getting ILP protection for Sikkim, he said.

Bhaichung added that suggestions and signatures would be collected during the ‘Jan Sansad’. “The signatures collected with the ILP demand would be submitted to the Union Home minister. We are also planning to tour the entire State and collect lakhs of signatures from the people seeking ILP for Sikkim,” he said.

The press meet was also addressed by HSP functionaries Biraj Adhikari, Neeknor Pradhan and Tara Bhattrai.