SIKKIM OBSERVER  Saturday   Feb 16-22,  2013   

Nepal Maoist leader compares Prachanda with Sikkim’s LD Kazi

     Portrait of Sikkim’s former chief minister Lhendup Dorje Kazi hangs above Nepal Prime Minister Babulal Bhattarai and      

     Prachanda

Kathmandu, Feb 15: If Vice Chairman C.P. Gajurel of Nepal Communist Party-Maoist is to be believed then his revered former party boss Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal  (Prachanda) of Unified Maoists is pushing the nation to precipice with the sole objective eventually to handover the sanctity of mother Nepal to India.

He equated Nepal’s Pushpa Kamal to Sikkim’s Lendhup Dorje Kazi, telegraphnepal.com reported.

Dorje, under similar circumstances presently prevailing in Nepal, had conspired against his own motherland to finally handover the country of his birth to “expansionist India,” the report said.

“In the manner similar to Lendhup Dorje of Sikkim, leaders of Unified Maoists Party are surrendering themselves to the mercy of foreigners eventually to handover the sanctity of their country.”

Gajurel made this tantalizing remark while talking to his party cadres in Rolpa on Sunday.

SKM takes ‘Parivartan’ battle to districts

DAS supports SKM, demands Akshay’s suspension

                 PS Golay at Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s launch in Singling, West Sikkim, on February 4, 2013.

Gangtok, Feb 15: Unperturbed by the brutal police lathicharge on party supporters that injured many the newly-formed Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) leaders swung into action and took the battle for ‘Parivartan’ to the districts.

Party offices were set up in remote Dzongu in North Sikkim, Jorethang in South Sikkim and Rongli in East Sikkim this week. SKM was formed in Singling in West Sikkim last week on February 4 under the leadership of rebel ruling party MLA PS Golay.

SKM got support from opposition parties which staged a day-long dharna in front of east district collectorate here yesterday. Democratic Alliance of Sikkim (DAS), a recently-formed platform of the Opposition, demanded immediate suspension of IGP (Law and Order) Akshay Sachdeva, who allegedly motivated police personnel to make the lathicharge here at the SKM central headquarters on Monday.

DAS has urged the State Government, Governor BP Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee to ensure that people’s confidence in the rule of law and democratic values are restored in Sikkim.

During its public meeting held in Singtam, South Sikkim, on Sunday DAS leaders urged SKM to join them to accelerate the movement for change in Sikkim.

Addressing the meeting, former chief minister and Sikkim PCC chief NB Bhandari said all Opposition parties need to unite to oppose Chamling’s misrule and form the government.

Breather for old settlers in Sikkim, SC stays recovery of income tax dues

New Delhi, Feb 15: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the recovery of income tax dues from “old settlers of Indian origin” in Sikkim and sought the Union government’s response to a petition that challenged the collection of the central tax from them.

Last year, around 400 families in Sikkim refused to file income tax returns and demanded exemption that applies to those who have Sikkim Subject Certificates, The Telegraph reported.

The Chogyal had issued the Sikkim Subject Certificates (SSC) to people living in the state during 1961 under the Sikkim Subject Regulation Act of 1961. The 400 families, also known as “old settlers”, came to the State before 1975, when Sikkim merged with India, but they do not possess the certificates. The Centre had exempted SSC holders from paying income tax in 2008 after an amendment in the Finance Act by the Parliament based on the State’s request.

That year, Association of Old Settlers Of Sikkim filed a petition with a Rajya Sabha Committee saying it was discriminatory and violated Article 14 (equality before law) and 15 (prohibition against discrimination) of the Constitution.

Yesterday, senior counsel K.K. Venugopal and counsel Senthil Jagadeesan, who appeared for the Association of Old Settlers Of Sikkim, submitted that Clause 26 AAA of Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, was discriminatory and violated Articles 14 and 15 as 95 per cent of the State’s population that was exempted from paying tax “includes about 70 per cent people of Nepalese origin, and the entire exemption has come about to appease the electorate.” The remaining 5 per cent was to pay the taxes.

It was submitted that the demographic profile of Sikkim, according to the 2004 voters’ list, shows that Bhutia-Lepcha (STs) are about 20.64 per cent of the population, Nepalese constitute 69.71 per cent, Sherpas are 4.31 per cent and others make up 5.34 per cent (old settlers: 1.5 per cent and migrants: 3.84 per cent).

The petition said, discussions between Sikkim and the Union of India disclosed that SSC holders and those who became citizens in 1990-91 after the Sikkim Citizenship Amendment Order 1989 should be exempted for political reasons and to maintain ethnic peace in the state and SSC holders who had voted for the merger of Sikkim with India be rewarded by granting exemption.

“This is the reason for the differential classification whereby 95 per cent of the population in Sikkim is exempted from the Income Tax Act, 1961, while 5 per cent of the population including the old settlers of Indian origin are liable to be taxed,” a member of the association said.

Most old business community members in Gangtok have welcomed the apex court’s verdict. “We have been discriminated on the income tax issue. During the Chogyal era all Sikkimese, including the business community, came under the same tax law,” said A. Agarwal, a local businessman.

Dalai Lama to unveil Buddha statue in Sikkim next month

Gangtok, Feb 15: The Tibetan temporal head Dalai Lama will inaugurate a 135-feet tall statue of Buddha at Ravangla in south Sikkim on March 26.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with former chief secretary TT Dorji at Mani Chokhor Ling Monastery at Buddha Park, in Ravangla, South Sikkim, on 19 December 2010.

 The Dalai Lame will also open a Buddha Park being built here.  Buddhist devotees from Southeast Asian countries have been flocking to Sikkim in recent years, after it has been added to the Buddhist tourist circuit.

Parts of the holy Buddha relics will be brought on this occasion from Southeast Asian countries, a state government official said.

Ravangla is a small tourist town in South Sikkim from where the mountain peaks of Kanchejunga, Pandim, Sinialchu and Kabru are clearly visible.

Ravangla has a sizeable Tibetan community, and the Ralang monastery of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is located six km away from Ravangla.

The prayers for the Dzung ceremony will begin on February 21 at  a Ravangla monastery and the Dzung ceremony will be performed by His Eminence Goshir Gyaltshab Rinpoche on the final day at the Park on February 25.

Editorial

LEPCHA RIGHTS

Mamata Takes The Initiative

The West Bengal Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval for the formation of a separate Lepcha Development Board for the welfare of the Lepcha community in Darjeeling. Members of Lepcha community ended their indefinite hunger strike in Kalimpong on Tuesday after the State Government reportedly issued a notification for setting up of the Lepcha development council named as Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board. Lepcha agitators in Kalimpong on Tuesday withdrew their indefinite hunger strike when North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb arrived in the hill town with a message from Mamata Banerjee that the Lepcha Development Board would be made functional at the earliest.

Only last week, during her visit to the hills, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had, after a meeting with the representatives of Lepchas in Kalimpong, announced her decision to set up such a board. She had said that she would make another such body for the Buddhists of the hills. The formation of a Lepcha development body had been a long-standing demand of the Lepchas who have been reduced to an insignificant minority in their ancestral homeland. The Lepchas have no territorial demand and want the Board to be formed to preserve the community’s culture and work for its general uplift.

The Kalimpong-based Lepcha Rights Movement (LRM), which began an indefinite hunger strike in Kalimpong on February 7 with 45 supporters, want the Board to be under the State Government instead of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA). The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) views the move to form the Board and to keep it under the State Government as a bid to divide the hill people. The new body will "undertake all necessary activities for the protection, promotion and safeguard of Lepcha language and culture." The Board will be formed under the Backward Class Welfare Department of the State Government, which will also nominate its chairperson and vice-chairperson. The office of the Board will be located in Kalimpong, where most of the Lepchas in Darjeeling live

Stones thrown on CM's motorcade, IGP Sachdeva’s suspension demanded

Police lathicharge Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) supporters in Gangtok on Monday. (pix: Himalaya Darpan)

Gangtok, Feb 12: Supporters of newly-formed Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) threw stones at Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's motorcade here on Monday leading  to a police lathi charge at the party headquarter and arrest of nine office bearers of the party, including its working president.

Bottles and stones were hurled at Chamling's convoy when it was passing the SKM head office at Daragaon area, the police said.

The policemen later began lathi charge in the SKM head office and several SKM workers were injured in the fracas, the sources said, PTI reported.

SKM Working President Bharati Sharma alleged that IGP (Law & Order) Akshay Sachdeva began the lathi charge 'without provocation'.

While six persons were arrested soon after the incident, Sharma and two others were arrested later.

Alleging that she was manhandled by the IGP and no women police were present, woman leader Kala Rai said, she would move the Women's Commission, Human Rights Commission and Union Home Ministry against the IGP.

The party also demanded a judicial inquiry into the lathi charge, a rare occurrence in Sikkim, and immediate suspension of the IGP.

The SKM was formed on February 4 by dissident SDF leaders led by rebel ruling party legislator PS Tamang. (also see page 6)

Red sandalwood trade to China through Indo-Nepal border

Siliguri, Feb 12: Recent seizure of huge volume of Red sandalwood from Siliguri adjoining Indo-Nepal border area has once again proved that the porous international border is a favoured route for international smugglers for their passage to China via Tibet.

Though medicinal usage of the endangered flora is considered as one the major purpose of the international grey trade chain, few other possible usages, not so 'healthy,' are now under the scanner of security and revenue agencies.

As the latest episode of the seizure, West Bengal Forest Department officials have confiscated a truck load of sandalwood on Tuesday from Teesta bridge – around 50 km from Siliguri.

"High frequency of seizures proves definite presence of the high value grey trade through this route," said Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials. "To stop it, the buying chain must be understand and broken first," said officials in Sasastra Seema Bal (SSB), the agency that guards Indo-Nepal border.

According to Nepal security agencies, around 1900 metric ton of raw red sandalwood have been seized during the last 3 years in both sides of the border.

As estimated, purchased for Rs 400 per kg in India, it sells for Rs 1500-Rs 3000 in Khasa (Tibet). After illegal felling mainly in Andhra Pradesh in south India, consignments get routed to Nepal through porous border along UP, Bihar or West Bengal. From there, these get into China mainly through Tatopani on Arniko Highway in North Nepal, the largest Sino-Nepal trade point.

Editorial

HOPE IN SIKKIM

A Rebel Is Born

Rebel Sikkimese leader Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), who last week floated his own political party – Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) – to take on his mentor Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front chief Pawan Chamling, is presently the centre of attraction of all parties, including the Centre. Ever since he was voted to the Assembly for the fourth consecutive term in 2009 Chamling has not been at ease. Now that more than 10,000 people openly identified themselves with Golay during the launch of his party in his native village of Singling in West Sikkim Chamling will find it increasingly difficult to rule the State without being openly challenged on all fronts.

Golay has proved himself to be quite a successful rebel. When Chamling did not give him his home constituency of Chakung in West Sikkim to contest the Assembly polls Golay revolted and the Chief Minister was forced to retract. When most of his former colleagues failed to get party tickets for the 2009 Assembly polls Golay was given a ticket from Burtuk constituency in East Sikkim. It is said that he was sent to this constituency to lose but he won! There is, therefore, something in Golay that Chamling has failed to put down. Perhaps it is because of this that many people are pinning their hopes on him. Surprisingly, with all his “anti-party activities” Golay is still in the ruling party. In Sikkim, rebels get to dethrone the rulers and take their place.

Opp condemns Sikkim Police crackdown on SKM supporters

“Police lathicharge was an attack on democracy”

Gangtok, Feb 12: Police crackdown on leaders and supporters of the newly-formed Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) at its party office here on Monday has been strongly condemned by the Opposition.

The Congress party in the State termed the attack “ruthless and brutal” and said it reflected the “oppressive” rule of the present regime. The BJP said the police mercilessly beat up party workers at their party office. BJP chief Padam Chettri has threatened to take up the matter with the Union Home Minister and the State Governor.

While the Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) said the incident was not only “deplorable” but “conmenable,” the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) said the lathi-charge was an attack on democracy. The Parishad has demanded judicial probe into the incident.

The SLP chief DN Nepal said the “barbaric police action” is a clear indication that constitutional provisions were violated by Sikkim Police.

The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) said Sikkim Police’s image has been “completely tarnished” and Febrruary 11 will “remain as black day in the history of Sikkim Police.”

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, however, defended the police action stating that attack on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s convoy by SKM supporters was an act of violence.

Police crackdown on SKM supporters followed pelting of stones and water bottles on the Chief Minister’s vehicle on Monday morning along the national highway.

Police arrested thirteen party workers, including the party’s Working President Bharati Sharma. Some party workers who were injured in the incident were hospitalised.

Breather for old settlers in Sikkim, SC stays recovery of income tax dues

New Delhi, Feb 12: The Supreme Court yesterday stayed the recovery of income tax dues from “old settlers of Indian origin” in Sikkim and sought the Union government’s response to a petition that challenged the collection of the central tax from them.

Last year, around 400 families in Sikkim refused to file income tax returns and demanded exemption that applies to those who have Sikkim Subject Certificates, The Telegraph reported.

The Chogyal had issued the Sikkim Subject Certificates (SSC) to people living in the state during 1961 under the Sikkim Subject Regulation Act of 1961. The 400 families, also known as “old settlers”, came to the State before 1975, when Sikkim merged with India, but they do not possess the certificates. The Centre had exempted SSC holders from paying income tax in 2008 after an amendment in the Finance Act by the Parliament based on the State’s request.

That year, Association of Old Settlers Of Sikkim filed a petition with a Rajya Sabha Committee saying it was discriminatory and violated Article 14 (equality before law) and 15 (prohibition against discrimination) of the Constitution.

Yesterday, senior counsel K.K. Venugopal and counsel Senthil Jagadeesan, who appeared for the Association of Old Settlers Of Sikkim, submitted that Clause 26 AAA of Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, was discriminatory and violated Articles 14 and 15 as 95 per cent of the State’s population that was exempted from paying tax “includes about 70 per cent people of Nepalese origin, and the entire exemption has come about to appease the electorate.” The remaining 5 per cent was to pay the taxes.

It was submitted that the demographic profile of Sikkim, according to the 2004 voters’ list, shows that Bhutia-Lepcha (STs) are about 20.64 per cent of the population, Nepalese constitute 69.71 per cent, Sherpas are 4.31 per cent and others make up 5.34 per cent (old settlers: 1.5 per cent and migrants: 3.84 per cent).

The petition said, discussions between Sikkim and the Union of India disclosed that SSC holders and those who became citizens in 1990-91 after the Sikkim Citizenship Amendment Order 1989 should be exempted for political reasons and to maintain ethnic peace in the state and SSC holders who had voted for the merger of Sikkim with India be rewarded by granting exemption.

“This is the reason for the differential classification whereby 95 per cent of the population in Sikkim is exempted from the Income Tax Act, 1961, while 5 per cent of the population including the old settlers of Indian origin are liable to be taxed,” a member of the association said.

Glacial lake outburst in Lachen valley ‘very high’

(left) The South Lhonak Glacier, which drains east from Lhonak Peak into Sikkim from the Nepal-Sikkim border, has developed a lake whose outburst probability is very high at 42% and peak discharge estimated at 586 m3/s.

Gangtok, Feb 12: A satellite-based study has indicated that a huge glacial lake has formed atop the Himalayas in Sikkim with a "very high" potential for it to burst and create devastation downstream.

Analysis of satellite data has revealed that the lake has formed at the snout of South Lhonak glacier that is about 7,000 meters high on the mountain Lachen, North Sikkim. The lake, bounded only by loose soil and debris, could cause havoc downstream if it ruptures, according to scientists at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad, ANI reported.

In a report published in the latest issue of the journal Current Science, NRSC researchers Babu Govindha Raj and co-workers say the glacial lake is about 630 meters wide and 20 meters deep.

It covers an area of 98.7 hectares and contains 19.7 billion liters of water. A sudden outburst "can create devastating floods downstream," they warn, adding that the probability of this happening "is very high". They, however, note this is only their preliminary assessment and more field studies are required to confirm the hazardous potential of this high altitude lake.

Data from the American Landsat, CORONA and Terra satellites besides imageries from India's own Resourcesat-1 satellite were used to estimate the size of the shrinking Lhonak glacier and the growth of the glacial lake at different times between 1962 and 2008.

Based on this study the scientists estimate that the Lhonak glacier had receded 1.9 km between 1962 and 2008. The glacial lake that was initially a small body of water in 1962 grew in size with accumulation of melt water. The NRSC scientists say that the lake is still attached to the snout of the glacier but is expanding in area due to the glacier retreat.

"The rate of growth of the lake indicates possible developments of the hazard situation," the report says.

As Himalayan glaciers are retreating fast, it is necessary to make an inventory of glacial lakes and set up an early warning system for lake outburst floods in vulnerable areas, they say.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday   Feb 9-15, 2013    

Golay begins ‘Sikkim Bachao’ andolan, forms Sikkim Krantikari Morcha

Gangtok, Feb 8: Rebel leader PS Golay’s newly-launched Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is now all set to begin its movement for real change in Sikkim where people are thoroughly disillusioned with the Chamling Government’s brand of ‘democracy and development’ and are desperately looking for someone to bail them out of the situation.

It was, therefore, not a surprise that well over 10,000 people turned up for the party’s launch yesterday at Golay’s home village of Singling, near Soreong in West Sikkim. The people have been patiently waiting for formal launching of the party for months.

Retired secretary KP Adhikari chairmed the function. Surprisingly, Golay himself was conspicuously absent from the dais but he was there among his supporters. Former East Zilla Adhakshya and former OBC chairperson Bharati Sharma was declared Working President of the new party during the function.

Members of the executive committee were sworn-in even as the new flag of the party (saffron, red and green) fluttered in the air, signaling a significant shift in the State’s political development.

“The name is very attractive as it is SKM, meaning Sikkim,” said an observer. SKM leaders, including Golay’s main objective of going against the present dispensation and forming their own political outfit is to bring real change in Sikkim, which the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front had promised but failed to deliver.

A host of Congress leaders, including former ministers and PCC members, have quit the national party to join SKM. Similarly, many SDF supporters have also joined SKM.

The revolt against Chamling Government’s ‘misrule’ is likely to take firmer shape when Golay formally leads the party as its president. 

GJM fumes as Mamata okays Lepcha council

GJM CALLS ANTI-LEPCHA COUNCIL BANDH ON FEB 9

Kolkata, Feb 8: In what is being viewed as a step that could pour more oil in the Hill fire, Bengal Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the proposal for a Lepcha Development Council which would function under the newly formed Gorkhaland Territorial Authority ruled by Darjeeling outfit Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

The Tuesday’s development comes barely a week after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s return from Darjeeling where she met the Lepcha and Buddhist delegations and assured them about the formation of autonomous councils within the GTA which itself sprang up as an autonomous body in 2011 after the signing of a tripartite accord with the Centre, State and the GJM as parties.

The formation of the Lepcha council, however, attracted spontaneous reaction from the GJM leadership which had already decided to start a renewed agitation for a separate Gorkhaland State post-March 10 meeting at Sukna in the foothills of Darjeeling, The Pioneer reported.

“This is not only an arbitrary and illegal exercise but also a clear manifestation of a divisive policy being pursued by the State Government,” senior GJM leader Roshan Giri who was currently in Delhi said, adding his party would react appropriately and at an appropriate moment on the issue.

GJM chief Bimal Gurung earlier said that the Government could not overstep its jurisdiction by defying the GTA to form the Lepcha development council. “GJM is not against formation of such a council but it cannot be formed without taking the GTA into confidence. This only brings forward the Government’s single-minded agenda to divide and rule the Hill people. But this will only stoke the fire instead of putting it out” senior leader Binoy Tamang said.

The Chief Minister has also given word for a separate council for the Buddhist which the Government is likely to form soon, sources at the Writers’ Buildings said adding the Chief Minister would do so only after seeing the reaction of the GJM after Tuesday’s decision.

Meanwhile, the GJM on Wednesday called a bandh in Darjeeling and its surrounding areas on February 9 to protest against the West Bengal government's decision to set up a Lepcha development council called "Mayel Lyang".

"Mamata Banerjee is trying to implement a 'divide and rule' policy on us. Under the GTA Act, there is no provision for a Lepcha development council. Moreover, the name of the council, Mayel Lyang, means 'my land'. The state announced its decision without consulting GTA," said Gurung.

"How can the government declare the Lepcha development council... If needed, we will move the Supreme Court on the issue," he added.

Meanwhile, Banerjee met Bharti Tamang, widow of slain Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang. Several GJM leaders were named in the FIR related to Tamang's murder. While Banerjee had earlier refused to meet Bharti Tamang, she promised her support this time.

Densapa was an upright man: CM

(L to R) BB Gooroong, CD Rai and JT Densapa

Gangtok, Feb 8: Former additional chief secretary and former secretary to the late Chogyal Jigdal T. Densapa is no more.

He passed away in Delhi on Tuesday night after a minor operation. He was 83 and was a bachelor.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in his condolence message described Densapa “an able administrator, hardworking and dedicated officer of the highest calibre.”

Known for his simple and austere life style Chamling said the former additional chief secretary was also “an upright person with impeccable integrity.”

Chamling stated that the passing of “this noble soul would leave a huge void in Sikkimese society.”

Yap Jigdal was born to Late Rai Bahadur Tashi Dadul Densapa on January 8, 1930. He did his schooling at Bishop Cottons School, Simla and completed his graduation at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Later on he went to United Kingdom to pursue his higher education in Law. After completing his education he was appointed as Deputy Development Officer during the year 1955.    

    He was elevated to the post of Secretary to the Chogyal during the year 1968. During his 33 years of government service he served the state government in various capacities and was elevated to the post of additional chief secretary to the State Government during the year 1985 which he continued till his retirement in 1988.

Foreign nationals issued Aadhar cards in Sikkim: SNPP

Gangtok, Feb 8: The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has objected to foreign nationals being issued Aadhar identity cards in the State.

Alleging that the introduction of the Aadhar card in the State is aimed at undermining the value of Sikkim Subjects Certificate, SNPP in a press release said it would start an awareness campaign in the State on the issue.

“The SNPP agrees with the Congress party that in the haste to implement this scheme, people without Sikkim Subject Certificates and also illegal foreigners have also been successful in

getting these cards,” SNPP releases said.

 It added, “The SNPP finds the imposition of the Aadhar Card in Sikkim as a

part of a conspiracy to undermine the 8th May Agreement of 1973 as out

of 51 districts in the country; two districts out of four have been

chosen in Sikkim. This has been done disregarding the fact that the

Sikkim Subject is the document that safeguards the “special identity”

as set out in Article 371f of the Constitution and enforcing such a

card shall be seen as a direct assault on the identity of the

Sikkimese.”

GOLAY’S PRIORITY

The Right Team

Rebel leader and ruling party legislator PS Golay ought to know by now that while change must come to Sikkim it cannot come with ‘old wine in new bottle.’ He must understand now that merely toppling the Chamling Government now or during the Assembly elections next year is not what the Sikkimese people are really looking for. The Sikkimese people across the political spectrum and among all sections of society are looking for real change to ‘save Sikkim’.  This is a tall order; if left unfulfilled Sikkim will head towards a dead-end street. Golay, therefore, faces the same dilemma that Pawan Chamling faced in 1993-94, when the ‘Mandal-messiah’ promised ‘total change in the system of governance.’

As of now Golay’s team announced during the launch of his party in Singling in West Sikkim this week is not too impressive. One Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) leader said that after being with him for nearly two decades she has realized that Chamling was the wrong man to back. If her judgment was wrong on Chamling what is the guarantee that she is right on Golay. This paper realized the truth about Chamling within the first six months of his first tenure but gave a chance to prove his competence for at least five years. Perceptive political observers must remember that Chamling openly confessed that he did not have the right team at the end of his first tenure. Surprisingly, the same team remained with him for three terms. This has resulted in the mess that we are in today - politically and economically. Political and economic empowerment of the Sikkimese is yet to take place. People will believe and follow Golay if he has the right team to save Sikkim. Otherwise it will be a repetition of what we have witnessed so far and this has been rejected by the people.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Wednesday Feb 6-12, 2013  

GOLAY’S PILL FOR CHAMLING’S  ILLS  REVOLUTION!

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha formed; Bharati Sharma keeps seat warm for Golay, Cong leaders join SKM

Gangtok, Feb 5: Rebel leader PS Golay’s newly-launched Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is now all set to begin its movement for real change in Sikkim where people are thoroughly disillusioned with the Chamling Government’s brand of ‘democracy and development’ and are desperately looking for someone to bail them out of the situation.

It was, therefore, not a surprise that well over 10,000 people turned up for the party’s launch yesterday at Golay’s home village of Singling, near Soreong in West Sikkim. The people have been patiently waiting for formal launching of the party for months.

Retired secretary KP Adhikari chairmed the function. Surprisingly, Golay himself was conspicuously absent from the dais but he was there among his supporters. Former East Zilla Adhakshya and former OBC chairperson Bharati Sharma was declared Working President of the new party during the function.

Members of the executive committee were sworn-in even as the new flag of the party (saffron, red and green) fluttered in the air, signaling a significant shift in the State’s political development.

“The name is very attractive as it is SKM, meaning Sikkim,” said an observer. SKM leaders, including Golay’s main objective of going against the present dispensation and forming their own political outfit is to bring real change in Sikkim, which the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front had promised but failed to deliver.

A host of Congress leaders, including former ministers and PCC members, have quit the national party to join SKM. Similarly, many SDF supporters have also joined SKM.

The revolt against Chamling Government’s ‘misrule’ is likely to take firmer shape when Golay formally leads the party as its president.

Prachanda bats for ‘independent’ candidate for PM post

Hetauda, Feb 5: Nepal's Maoists vowed on Saturday, never to return to guerrilla warfare and offered to give up leadership to an independent prime minister to take the Himalayan nation towards democracy.

Party leaders said at their general convention they would step down from government to seek a popular mandate to lead a "socialist revolution", six years after a decade-long insurgency which toppled the world's last Hindu monarchy.

"Let's agree on an independent person who will lead the government. And we will endorse this concept of a government led by an independent person to hold the election through this convention," said party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

He called for a "socialist revolution" to promote economic growth and create jobs at home so that thousands of young Nepalis were no longer forced to seek work abroad.

Gurung to ‘quit’ GTA, revive Gorkhaland stir

Darjeeling, Feb 5: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung  yesterday said he would step down from the post of chief executive of the Gorkha Territorial Administration in a few days.

Gurung made the announcement at a workers’ meet in Darjeeling, which was attended by important party functionaries and all GJM and GTA sub-committee members.

If he steps down, Darjeeling could face another round of agitations and turmoil sooner rather than later.

The announcement comes on the heels of a virtual standoff between the GJM leadership and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the latter’s visit to Darjeeling last week. At a public meeting, Mamata had announced that Darjeeling would always remain an integral part of West Bengal. There were immediate protests and slogan shouting after the announcement, which forced the chief minister to walk out of the meeting in haste.

Zhiwa Ling Bhutan's finest homegrown hotel

By ANDREW J. WOOD

The 45-room Zhiwa Ling hotel in Bhutan (Paro) combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of 21st century technology. Envisioned and created by a local Bhutanese company, the hotel’s elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful stonework coexist beautifully with cutting-edge telecommunication systems and Swedish under-floor heating.

Recently the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) announced the Tourist Accommodation classifications. Zhiwa Ling Hotel is the first and only wholly Bhutanese-owned hotel to receive a 5-star rating. Zhiwa Ling Hotel is also the only Bhutanese-owned hotel and one of only two in the country to be ISO22000 certified.

Set on 10 acres, Zhiwa Ling has many amenities available to guests. The spa offers all the facilities guests could want - a fitness center, sauna, steam room, as well as a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath. There is a business center, Tea House, two fully-equipped conference rooms, a Meditation House, and the hotel has its own greenhouse. The two restaurants specialize in contemporary international cuisine and classic Bhutanese dishes. Gathering at the Mad Monk Bar for a pre-dinner drink or after-hours fun is a highlight for guests.

Honoring the spiritual heritage of this ancient Buddhist kingdom, a temple has been built into the second floor of the hotel, made with 450-year-old timbers from the famous Gangtey Monastery, the crowning glory of this new cultural landmark.

Editorial

NAGA ISSUE

“Election After Solution”

In India, elections are no solutions to problems faced by the people. In Nagaland in particular, the concerned authorities need to pay heed to what the Naga Hoho and other parties are saying. They do not want Assembly polls to be conduction at this crucial junction when a solution is about to be reached after fifteen years to negotiations. The Naga Hoho is not against holdings of elections but it wants the peace process to be over before the people decide on who and which party should rule in Nagaland.

Stating that the Naga people have been struggling for political rights for more than eighty years, the Naga Hoho has informed the Election Commission that the last Cease-Fire Agreement was signed in 1997 between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) and the subsequent signing of cease fire with different political groups have already entered sixteen years which is long enough to hammer out an amicable solution. It may also be pointed out that sixty member legislatures under the banner of Joint Legislatures Forum have met the Prime Minister and other central leaders seeking political solution instead of elections. The Congress party in Nagaland is also of the same view: solution first, election later.  Why is New Delhi hell-bent on forcing the polls this time when the people are against it?

History of the demand for Telangana state

The demand for a separate Telangana state has a long history behind it. The Telangana region corresponds to the Telugu speaking part of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. The region lies on the Deccan plateau to the west of the Eastern Ghats range, and includes the northwestern interior districts of Warangal, Adilabad, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Rangareddy, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak, and the state capital, Hyderabad. The Krishna and Godavari rivers flow through the region from west to east. It has been the heartland of many great dynasties. In the early 18th century, the muslim Asafjahi dynasty established a separate state of Hyderabad. Later Hyderabad entered into a treaty of subsidiary alliance with the British Empire, and was the largest and most populous princely state in India. Telangana was never under direct British rule, unlike Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, which were part of British India's Madras Presidency.

When India became independent from the British Empire, the Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to retain his independence, but the newly formed Government of India amalgamated his state of Hyderabad by force on September 17, 1948. At that time the Telugu-speaking people were distributed in about 22 districts; 9 of them in the Telangana region of Nizam's Dominions (Hyderabad State), 12 in the Madras Presidency and one in French-controlled Yanam.

The Communist Party of India led a peasant uprising in this region from 1946 to 1951, which was crushed brutally by the Nehru government after independence. Meanwhile Telugu speaking areas were carved out of an erstwhile Madras state by popular agitation by the leaders like Potti Sri Ramulu who died while on hunger strike, leading to the creation of Andhra state in 1952.

   The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) appointed by Nehru in 1953 had recommended a separate state of Telangana and a single state of coastal Andhra and Rayalseema, but the then Government of India headed by Nehru ignored this recommendation after having unleashed brute force against the masses of peasants and revolutionaries in Telangana. In 1956, following the linguistic reorganization of states, Hyderabad was divided with some parts of it included in Maharashtra, some parts in Karnataka and the rest in a unified state of Andhra Pradesh.

The demand for Telangana state was raised in 1969, with agitations by students and government employees, in which nearly 360 students died.  It receded into the background for a period, during the rise of the Telugu Desam Party, and has resurfaced in recent years.

When the states of Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Uttarkhand were formed in the year 2000, the agitation for a state of Telangana started again, and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was formed. After the Parliament and Assembly elections in 2004, where TRS and Congress party had a coalition, TRS included creation of the Telangana State as a part of the ‘common minimum program’ agreed with Congress.

In 2008 when there were still no talks on the separate state, TRS started putting pressure on the Congress government (both at the state and Central level). All the MPs and MLAs of the TRS party resigned. The Telangana State movement started to intensify more when E. Peddi Reddy who was with Telugu Desam Party, started a new party named Nava Telangana Praja Party. In October in 2008, Telugu Desam Party declared its support for a separate Telangana state.

The agitation of the people of the Telangana region is a manifestation of their anger against the capitalist system prevailing in India and the structure of political power within the present-day Indian Union.

Uneven development of capitalism, with wealth and capital investment being concentrated in certain regions to the neglect of other regions, is a factor that has, time and again, fuelled the demand for creation of separate states. This is also true of the Telangana region. The aspirations of the regional bourgeoisie for a greater share of power and wealth and the mobilization of the people’s sentiments against their perceived discrimination have found their reflection in the demand for the creation of a new state. (lokraj sangathan online)

SUMMER FESTIVAL

A Unique Experience in Haa Valley

Haa Summer Festival held on 9th and 10th July each year is one of the most special events organized in the enchanted valley of Haa which was opened to tourists only in 2002.

The festival offers a lively and uplifting combination of traditional living, culture, nomadic lifestyle, demonstration of Bhutanese cuisines, processing of local wine (Ara), traditional sports, religious performances, dances, songs, artifacts, an exhibition on Nublang (sacred unique cattle of Haa) and natural alpine flowers.

No events other than the Haa Summer Festival allows you to experience the generous welcoming attitude of people in their best Bhutanese attire, their lifestyles, living culture, natural attractions and activities of Haa district all at one place.

In addition, you can experience and see the beauty of landscapes, its rich alpine flowers, yak herders’ lifestyle and return home feeling rejuvenated by undertaking any of the trekking routes. These treks can be undertaken coinciding the end day of the trek with the Haa Summer Festival or after the festival.

The festival provides an opportunity for visitors, flower lovers and photographers to actively involve and learn about the unique cultural features and rich alpine flowers through the exhibition organized.

Traditional etiquette demands for harmonious behavior while serving food, eating, dressing and even walking. You will observe all of these during the festival and also experience through your stay with any of the family members at the farm house.

Visit the festival to learn more about the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and the special demonstration on the Shamanism practice in Haa valley.

The valley of natural beauty, colored with yellow mustard in the fields, traditional homes surrounded by buckwheat patches, people who produce hardened cheese “Haapi Chugo” and Chelela pass marked by fluttering prayer flags invites you all to take part in this grand Haa Summer Festival. (Glorious Dragon Tours)

NASBO lambasts govt on raid on tribal officer

Gangtok, Feb 5: The recent crackdown on senior police officer Kado Tshering Bhutia by Sikkim Vigilance has been met with severe criticism by the National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO).

In a statement, NASBO chief Sonam Lama Kaloen said the crackdown was “very partial”

and reflected the “witch-hunting” attitude of the Chamling Government.

Kaloen 

Kaloen said the raid is not justified as Chief Minister Pawan Chamling himself is under graft scanner.

“The raid would have been justified had the entire State machinery is corruption-free, particularly when the head of the government himself is under scanner vis-a-vis accumulation of asset disproportionate to his known source of income,” Kaloen said in a press release.

He said the raid was a “conspiracy” and a “deliberate exercise against the members of tribal communities of Sikkim.”

NASBO chief said such “threat” to “create a sense of fear-psycho” among the tribals will not be tolerated.

NASBO has threatened to launch a “massive awareness drive amongst the community” to expose the government’s negative attitude towards tribals in the State.

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Saturday   Feb 2- 8,  2013    

IHM first institute in India to get global skills training

     Institute of Hotel Management, Sajong, Rumtek, East Sikkim

Gangtok, Feb 1:  Labour Secretary CT Wangdi emphasized on the need to cash on the inherent goodness of hill people in the hospitality sector.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the two-day training programme of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Sazong, East Sikkim, on Tuesday, the Secretary said hill students would fair better in the hospitality sector as they are gifted with certain basic traits that are needed in this sector. He said the institution was established with a vision to “achieve something.”

The two-day training for trainers on “Overseas Employment Skill Development Centre” was given by internationally-recognised Paul Mount of UK’s Edexcel (educational excellence). Mount assured the students and staff of the institute with these comforting words: “Our job leads to work.”

He said skill development in colleges is important as mere degrees are no guarantee for jobs.

According to Ravindra Singh, Vice-President of ASPIRE, New Delhi, not more than 25% of graduates get employed each year in the country. He, therefore, emphasized the need for vocational education, which provides jobs to students based on their skills.

Interestingly, Sikkim is the first State in the country to undertake the two-day training, according to IHM’s Administrator/Principal JT Gyaltsen, the main pillar of the institute. He said his students, who get certificates after getting the training, will be in a better position to get jobs abroad.

Already, in a short span of time IHM ranks among top ten hotel management colleges in the country as far as job placement is concerned after completing the three-year B.Sc course in hotel management and catering technology

Other than IHM staff, some panchayat members of the State and a group from Assam were undertook the training.

The programme was organized by IHM and ASPIRE in collaboration with Directorate of Capacity Building of the State Government. TN Kazi, Director of the Directorate, was also present during the function.

Set up in 1990 as Food Craft Institute by Ministry of Tourism, IHM got affiliated to National Council for Hotel Management (Ministry of Tourism) in 2000.

Centre wants new route along Indo-China border

Gangtok, Feb 1: In a bid to effectively safeguard the frontiers bordering China, the Centre has asked the Supreme Court for permission to construct a new 139 km-long road for carrying out operational preparedness and maintaining troops deployed along the Indo-China border in Sikkim.

In an application before the SC, the defence ministry submitted that the proposed road was essential from the defence point of view as the existing National Highway 31A was the only road connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country, Mail Today reported.

A clearance from the forest bench of the SC was required because a stretch of about 33km of the road is to pass through the Neora Valley National Park and the Pangolakha Wild Life Sanctuary in the east district of Sikkim.

The Supreme Court has been approached as the road to the Indo-China border will need clearing up of some forest areas.

The Flag Hill-Log Bridge- Madhubala Dokala road to be built by the Border Roads Organisation would pass through the sanctuary, where construction could be undertaken only after prior clearance from the SC as per its earlier orders.

Stressing on the importance of the road, the defence ministry said: "The construction of the road will facilitate building up of infrastructure in border areas for repulsing enemy incursions as well as to carry out combat operations."

The ministry said the decision to construct the road was taken after the special group known as China Study Group carried out a review of the international border with China and recommended "high operational preparedness".

One of the recommendations was laying down a communication network of roads to ensure faster mobility and operational preparedness, it added.

On the need for a road in addition to the NH 31A running through Chalsa-Khuniamore- Jaldhaka-Thode-Tangta-Rachela- Aritar, the ministry said the road would provide a "shorter avenue of approach" to reach East Sikkim and reduce the time required for troop deployment.

"The construction of this road would provide an alternative axis to East Sikkim enhancing the operational and logistic support of the troops in the area," the ministry said in the application.

The alternative access to Sikkim is crucial for the Indian Army to reach high altitude posts along the Tibet border.

The army's 33 corps based in Sukna, north Bengal covers Sikkim with division level presence in Gangtok, Binaguri and Kalimpong. It is also important for Siliguri corridor connecting north east with the rest of India

Editorial

TELANGANA AND GORKHALAND

Back To Square One?

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has once again asked the Centre to consider its demand for a Gorkhaland state if it takes into consideration creation of a separate Telangana. GJM general secretary Roshan Giri conveyed to Union Home Secretary RK Singh that the demand for Gorkhaland was one of the oldest in the country and the Centre cannot ignore it if it decides to create a separate Telangana.

After rejecting the GJM’s demand for a separate state of  Gorkhaland, carved out of West Bengal, the Government has constituted the Gorkha Territorial Administration with additional administrative and financial powers. The GJM’s fresh demand came after Congress said that it was not against formation of Telangana, but the Government was in the process of taking a decision. The Gorkhas may have their own justification in demanding statehood but in Andhra Pradesh’s fractured politics there are many parties which support the Telangana demand. If the Congress party takes a pro-Telangana stand it will be easy to carve a new state.

However, this is not so in West Bengal where both the ruling TMC and opposition CPI(M) are deadly against division of Bengal. GJM chief Bimal Gurung has threatened to pursue a more ‘militant’ path if the Centre and Bengal Government are not receptive to the demand if Telangana statehood is achieved. Gurung will surely get the backing of opposition parties in Darjeeling on the statehood demand. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seems determined to ensure that Bengal is united.

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Jan 26 – Feb 1, 2013

REBEL LEADER TO LAUNCH HIS PARTY ON FEB 4

Gangtok, Jan 25: After dithering over the timing of formation of his party for months rebel leader PS Golay has finally decided to take the plunge. His new political outfit will be formed on February 4 next month, it is learnt.

Actually, January was the expected month for launching of the new party but this did not take place and this led to some bickering and disappointment among Golay’s supporters. February 4 is just a week before Losar (New Year according to lunar calendar), which falls on February 11. The Tamang community to which Golay belongs celebrate the New Year as Sonam Lochar, which is a public holiday in the State.

Technically, Golay still belongs to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front and is a member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly from the Upper Burtuk constituency, located near Gangtok in east Sikkim.

The new party will be launched from Golay’s native village of Singling in Soreng-Chakung constituency in west Sikkm.

Golay’s new party is expected to cut into the vote-bank of the ruling party, which has been in power since December 1994. Opposition parties will also be wary of their supporters flocking into the new camp.

Form Cong govt in Sikkim, Bhandari tells high command

Gangtok, Jan 25: Sikkim Congress unit President N B Bhandari blamed the party high command for not taking an active role in strengthening its party in the State.

He also charged the Congress-led government at the Centre for diluting Sikkim’s special status under Article 371F of the Constitution. Addressing the Chintan Shivir in Jaipur, the three-time former chief minister said regional parties such as the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s continuation in power is threatening the “security” of the country in the “border State.”

While urging the party high command of the need to root out regional parties in the State, the SPCC chief emphasized the need to form a Congress government in the State.

Bhandari last headed a Congress government in 1981-84 after he merged his Sikkim Janata Party with the Congress in mid-1981.

The second Congress government in the State, led by BB Gooroong in May 1984, lasted for only 13 days. Another revolt against Bhandari in May 1994 saw SM Limboo become the Chief Minister for six months from May 1994 to December 1994. During this period Limboo’s SSP(S) merged with the Congress party.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, another rebel in the Bhandari camp, formed his ruling Sikkim Democratic Front in March 1993 and came to power on December 12, 1994. Chamling has been in power since then.

Editorial

HOME TRUTHS

Take Note, Madam Gandhi

Sikkim may be small, but the Congress high command ought to note by now how vital this tiny Himalayan State is to the nation’s security interest. SPCC President NB Bhandari’s warning to the party high command at the party’s brainstorming session in Jaipur this week that the continuation of the Chamling Government is a threat to the country’s security is not an outburst of a politician who has failed to make a comeback since his abrupt departure from power in May 1994. The growing disillusionment with Chamling’s brand of ‘democracy’ and ‘development’, despite the State obtaining first positions in several fields, will surely lead to a new kind of political uncertainty in the near future if timely and appropriate action is not taken. When Bhandari merged his Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) with the Congress in 2003 Sonia Gandhi promised that she would come to Sikkim to fulfil her late husband’s dream. Perhaps this visit was not made because Sikkim was not ready for it.

National parties may not be the ideal choice for Sikkim but the rule of regional parties for most part of past three and half decades has forced the Sikkimese to live in fear under  ‘one man rule - one party system’ in a democratic set-up. Because of Bhandari and Chamling’s failure to live up to the high expectations of the people – the two men ruled Sikkim from 1979-2013 – PS Golay, seen by many as the CM-in-waiting, will find it very difficult to get the spontaneous support of the people even though he has the support and sympathy of many. After Golay created his own political space in the State Bhandari hinted that he is ready to align with the rebel leader against Chamling. But now that Bhandari has urged the party high command to strengthen its party unit in Sikkim with a view to forming a Congress government in Sikkim what would be Golay’s role in the changed situation?  In the past two Assembly polls (2004 and 2009), the Congress party, under Bhandari, secured around 30 per cent of votes polled. If Bhandari is able to ensure that his vote-bank remains intact he will surely play a commanding role in uniting the Opposition.

Northeast separatists call for Republic Day boycott

Boycott as a mark of resistance against what it termed as "Indian occupation of the region".

Imphal, Jan 25: A massive security alert was sounded across the northeast Tuesday after separatist rebels announced a boycott of the Jan 26 Republic Day celebrations, an official said.

"We have placed security forces on high alert to thwart rebels from disrupting the Republic Day celebrations," Shambhu Singh, joint secretary (Northeast) in the home ministry, told IANS on Tuesday.

Five frontline separatist groups in the region have called a boycott of the Republic Day and also a general strike from 1 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. that day as a mark of resistance against what it termed as "Indian occupation of the region".

The call has been given by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), the National Liberation Front of TWIPRA (NLFT), the Tripura People's Democratic Front (TPDF) and Coordination Committee (CorCom) - an umbrella of seven major separatist outfits - fighting for an independent state for the majority Metei community in Manipur.

These groups are active in Assam, Manipur and Tripura.

The five rebel groups announced their boycott on Monday through a joint statement e-mailed to several media houses.

"There is a clear image of Indian colonial racism manifested in the suppression of human rights under martial and Draconian law such as the Armed Forces Special Power's Act (AFSPA), 1958 and other forms of suspension of fundamental rights," the statement said.

"Extra judicial killings, inhuman torture, fake encounter and sexual harassment in the region are routinely carried out to suppress the freedom struggle of our indigenous people.

"Freedom and independence is the only solution for the conflict as the region can never be a part of the Indian mainstream.”

PEOPLE & PLACES Sikkim

In Rumtek, a generation of Buddhist monks loses hope

By ANJANI TRIVEDI

 In their 13th year of waiting for their spiritual leader, the Tibetan Buddhist monks at a mountainside monastery in Sikkim are starting to give up hope.

“Our hearts have fallen — the master isn’t coming,” said Karma Yeshi, a monk and teacher at the Rumtek monastery, home to 150 monks in the Himalayas in the erstwhile kingdom annexed to India in 1975. “It’s like a house without a father.”

The person the monks are eager to see is Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 27-year-old man deemed to be the leader of the Kagyu order of Buddhism, one of the four main schools in Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan Buddhism stresses the importance of meeting the Karmapa. Teachings in the Kagyu order are passed on from master to student, and the Kagyu’s Web site says that “all great Kagyu teachers regard his Holiness Karmapa as the embodiment and source of all the blessings of the lineage.”

The young man known as the 17th Karmapa is currently based in Dharamsala at the Gyuto Tantric University, having been granted official refugee status in 2001 after fleeing from Tibet in late December 1999. But since 2000, the Indian government has blocked the Karmapa from entering Rumtek and the state of Sikkim, citing security concerns.

To travel outside Dharamsala, the Karmapa needs prior approval from various government agencies and ministries, and he is given security once he does begin his travels, said a Home Ministry official, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Ogyen Trinley Dorje (left)

Rumtek is the most important seat of the Kagyu tradition outside the Tsurphu monastery in Tibet. Rumtek has also been the site of much controversy, as different factions have fought over who is the real Karmapa, or incarnate lama. At least two others have laid a claim to the title, but the Dalai Lama and China have officially backed Ogyen Trinley Dorje. The monastery’s valuable relics have also been the source of contention among two rival factions, leading to fistfights.

The gated monastery and community in Rumtek is more of an armed garrison, with India’s border forces patrolling it 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While some say the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, which also maintains vigil on the nearby India-China border, is guarding the treasure and symbols of authority at the monastery, others say the forces were placed there after clashes among the monks.

“This has lowered the morale among the monks and Buddhist community at large,” Karma Yeshi said.

The government has two concerns about letting the Karmapa travel: his security and the legal battle over ownership of the relics, according the official in the Home Ministry.

     Rumtek Monastery, seat of the 16^th Karmapa in east Sikkim

State officials say they believe that the national government thinks the Karmapa is a spy. “There is a strong feeling that he might be an agent of China,” said a state government official, who did not want to be identified because he is not authorized to speak publicly on the issue. “It’s very difficult to escape from China, as far as Tibetans are concerned.”

However, China, which does not recognize Sikkim as a part of India, hasdismissed these claims by the Indian government.

In 2011, the Karmapa came under scrutiny by Indian police officials after trunks filled with foreign currency were discovered at his residence in Dharamsala, drawing even more suspicion from the government. The Karmapa’s lawyer said the money was donations from devotees from all over the world.

The Karmapa’s presence is a “very, very sensitive” issue that involves multiple ministries, including External Affairs, said the Home Ministry official, although he denied it had anything to do with security.

However, the official said, “He’s been living here, so it’s our duty to protect him. Rumtek being a controversial matter, it’s not in his interest to go there because there are other claimants. So it’s as simple as that.”

“The government of India has adopted a policy of refraining from any succession controversy. We are not favoring or supporting anyone. This policy has been consistent – it was the case 10 years ago and it is still the same,” he added.

Sikkim’s state government backs the Kagyu monks. Sikkim’s chief minister, Pawan Chamling, who has governed for 18 years, has appealed to Manmohan Singh, the prime minister of India, many times to allow the Karmapa to visit the state.

“The chief minister had taken up this matter when he last visited Delhi,” the state government official told India Ink. “At least, if you don’t allow him to visit Rumtek, his official seat, let him visit Sikkim and bless the people of Sikkim, who are great followers. Even that is not being done by the government of India.”

However, the Home Ministry doesn’t want to take a risk with his security, according to officials in the ministry, which deals largely with internal security matters. Ultimately, they say, the responsibility for his safety rests with the central government, and not the Sikkim government.

Karma Yeshi of the Rumtek monastery said that this issue is not just a local matter, as India is a place of pilgrimage for all Buddhists, masters and monks alike, as the birthplace of Buddhism.

“This is very important not only for the Karmapa issue but for Buddhism. The Buddha dharma is from India, from India it went to China, from China to Tibet – this is how the lineage came about,” the senior monk said.

The inability to meet the Karmapa is nothing less than a tragedy for these Tibetan Buddhists.

“We have been waiting for long enough now,” said Monay Rai, a 24-year-old guide at the monastery, who was born and raised inside the gates of the Rumtek community. “Sometimes when V.I.P.s visit, the aged people tell me, ‘Please tell the V.I.P.’s to help us, to allow our guru. I can’t travel. It is my dream before I die to see the Karmapa here.’” (The New York Times)

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Wednesday Jan 23-29, 2013  

Strengthen party unit, form Cong govt in Sikkim: Bhandari

Gangtok, Jan 22: Sikkim Congress unit President N B Bhandari blamed the party high command for not taking an active role in strengthening its party in the State.

He also charged the Congress-led government at the Centre for diluting Sikkim’s special status under Article 371F of the Constitution. Addressing the Chintan Shivir in Jaipur, the three-time former chief minister said regional parties such as the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s continuation in power is threatening the “security” of the country in the “border State.”

While urging the party high command of the need to root out regional parties in the State, the SPCC chief emphasized the need to form a Congress government in the State.

Dialgoue with Beijing stalled under Hu Jintao: Gyari

Negotiations not possible without the Dalai Lama

Lodi Gyari

Dharamsala, Jan 22: Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, the former Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said the stalled dialogue process with China failed to make much progress under the decade-long leadership of President Hu Jintao.

 Speaking at an international conference on the implications of the leadership transition in China here recently, Gyari pointed out that prospects for negotiations in fact declined after Hu, who as the communist party head of Tibet in 1989 had declared martial law in Tibet which lasted a full 419 days, took over, phayul.com reported.

   Gyari, who has more than three decades of experience in dealing with China, stressed that negotiations with Beijing will not be possible without the Dalai Lama.

The former special envoy, who led nine rounds of official talks with China from 2002-10, before resigning last year, noted that consistency in retaining the main objective of the talks throughout the process was necessary while dealing with China.

Gyari and Envoy Kesang Gyaltsen resigned in May 2012, citing the deteriorating situation inside Tibet and their “utter frustration” over the lack of positive response from China.

Expressing doubts over the notion that a democratic China will help resolve the Tibet issue, Gyari pointed out that while Tibet must not wait hoping for change in China, the absence of a paramount leader in Beijing might prove unfavourable for a substantive decision on Tibet.

When asked about the future prospects of the dialogue process under China’s new leader Xi Jinping, the former special envoy said he remains hopeful considering reports that Xi’s style of working is similar to that of former president Jiang Zemin, who according to him took interest in Tibet.

Lodi Gyari added that the only way forward for Tibet, in the absence of other viable options, is to persist with the dialogue process with China.

Editorial

INDIA’S BETRAYAL

Corporates Set To Take Over Sikkim

The stage is all set for big business houses to take over the tiny Himalayan State of Sikkim. If Sikkim’s Companies Bill 2012 gets the Rajya Sabha’s nod it will pave way for corporate bodies to enter the former kingdom in a big way. With business and commerce influx will increase. Remember what happened when the East India Company took over Darjeeling in the 19^th century? In due course the locals will be replaced by no-locals, who will surely obtain political and economic rights as they gradually settle down in the green pastures of this Himalayan frontier. Local Sikkimese have already seen the extent of inroads made by power and pharmaceutical companies in Sikkim. They may not want further encroachment into their rights and interests but their so-called elected representatives have their own hidden agenda.

The Opposition made a lot of noise recently when the Bill – intended to scrap two old laws (Registration of Companies (Sikkim) Act 1961 and Companies Act 1965) – was passed in the Lok Sabha recently. However, not much is expected from it as it made a big issue of several vital issues that concern Sikkim in the past and eventually nothing came out of it. What is to be noted is the allegation by former chief minister and Congress unit President of Sikkim, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, that scrapping of old laws is a “conspiracy” of the Centre and State Government. Bhandari, once an anti-merger veteran, also pointed out that this conspiracy was also an act of “betrayal.” At the time of “merger” New Delhi assured the Sikkimese that its “distinct personality” would be safeguarded through Article 371F. The Bill is, therefore, an anti-constitution and betrayal of assurances given to Sikkim during the takeover in 1975.

Provisions of Assam Accord challenged by indigenous Assamese

Deportation of all illegal migrants sought

    Signing of the Assam Accord in 1985

New Delhi, Jan 22: The validity of crucial provisions of the Assam Accord, including the cut-off date for detection, deletion and deportation of illegal migrants, besides Constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955, has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

A Division Bench of Supreme Court comprising Justice CK Prasad and Justice Khalifullah recently issued notices to Government of India, Ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Registrar General of India, Election Commission of India, Government of Assam and All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) acting on a writ petition filed by Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Progressive) and Indigenous Tribal Peoples’ Federation.

Counsel for the petitioners Vijay Hansaria reportedly said some of the provisions of Assam Accord have been challenged and the public interest litigation (PIL) has sought a direction to the Government of India to deport all illegal migrants.

The petitioners have alleged that Section 6A violates Article 6, 14, 29(1), 253 and 355 of the Constitution. They have stated that this provision promotes and protects illegal immigrants and has been specifically enacted for protecting illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

The petitioners have demanded that 1951 be taken as the base year for detecting foreign nationals and that directions be issued to the Central and State governments to evolve an effective procedure for deportation of illegal immigrants.

The petitioners have also demanded that all the documents pertaining to the consultation process that preceded the signing of the Assam Accord be placed before the apex Court.

It was argued the Clause 5 of the Assam Accord have been arbitrarily foisted upon the people of Assam. The provisions of Clause 5 and its sub-clauses are inherently illegal, discriminatory and forced on the people of Assam their right to equality.