Minister Bhim Hang reiterates SKM commitment to Limbu-Tamang assembly seat reservation

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING, : Building and Housing minister and area MLA Bhim Hang Limboo today reiterated that the ruling Sikkim KrantikariMorcha (SKM) government is committed to reserving seats for the Limbu and Tamang communities in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Addressing concerns over the long-pending issue, Bhim Hang said the Limboo-Tamang community should not worry, adding that the matter would be resolved “in an amicable way” and with due justice. He said Chief Minister P.S. Golay was sincerely working towards a final solution.

“The Chief Minister has assured that the Limbu-Tamang community will get their seat reserved in the State assembly,” Bhim Hang said. “We (Limboo-Tamang) should support the Chief Minister for the commitment and sincerity he has shown on this issue. As a representative of Limboo community, I also assure the you that the seat reservation issue will be resolved soon.”

Bhim Hang was speaking as the chief guest on the concluding day of the 8th edition of the Limbu New Year festival ‘KokfekwaTongnam’ organised by the Limboo communities of Lingchom, Tikjek and Langang, at Lingchom, near here.

Bhim Hang added that since the formation of SKM government, secularism had been strengthened through equal support to all religious and ethnic communities in the State. According to him, the government has provided opportunities for the development of culture, language and literature across communities.

The minister claimed that several long-pending demands of the Limboo community, which he said had remained unresolved under the previous Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government, had been fulfilled under the current administration. These include the construction of Manghims at various locations across the State as well as other community-related infrastructure projects.

He further said that a Manghim along with a community hall costing around Rs. 15 crore is being constructed at Singtam Bazaar, and added that the present government has addressed most of the developmental demands raised by the Limboo community.

The final day of KokfekwaTongnam featured cultural programmes including traditional Limboo dances such as ‘Hakparey’, ‘Khyali’, ‘Palam’ and ‘DhaanNaach’ performed by troupes from different parts of Sikkim.

The organising committee expressed gratitude to Bhim Hang, who was also the chief patron of the festival, as well as to various community organisations, government departments and individuals for their support. Committee president Pritam Limboo said they hoped for similar cooperation in future editions of the festival.

Several members of the Limboo community were also felicitated for their contributions in different fields.

The event was also attended by Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang as the special guest.