SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday   Aug 17-23,  2013    

Assembly seats reserved for BLs, not STs: SIBLAC

BL seats based on 1973 pact: Salman Khurshid

(Left) Bhutia-Lepcha leaders with Governor SD Patil at the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday.

Gangtok, Aug 16: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has reacted strongly against the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s bid to erase the distinct identity given by the Constitution to the former kingdom’s indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha community.

Refuting SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal’s allegation that seats cannot be reserved in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on the basis of “caste”, SIBLAC convenors Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Chewang Rinzing Lepcha in a press statement said  Dahal’s statement is not only condemnable but also “unconstitutional and illegal”.

According to SIBLAC, the press statement of August 5 had reference to SDF legislators meeting held at Mintokgang, Chief Minister’s official residence, on August 4 in which Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was present.

In its letter to BL and Sangha MLA, SIBLAC said Dahal’s press release stated:

 “there cannot be seat reservation in our country in the name of any caste as per the Constitution of India and therefore BL seats in the state today is by virtue of Bhutia Lepcha being Schedule Tribes (ST) in the state, the detail upon which was discussed in the said meeting”.

BL legislators have been given a week’s time to make their stand clear on the ruling party’s observations on the seat issue.

“We look forward for your response latest by a weeklong time failing which we shall be compelled to initiate actions or remedial measures as may be deemed fit,” the letter to BL MLA said.

It may be recalled that in response to a query from the BJP MP, Balkrishna K. Shukla, on the Assembly seat issue of the Limbus and Tamangs of the State, who were declared STs in 2002, former Union Minister of Law Salman Khurshid (now External Affairs Minister) in the Lok Sabha last year said the 12 seats reserved in the Assembly for the Bhutia-Lepchas were as per the historic Tripartite Agreement of May 8 1973 between the Government of India, the Chogyal of Sikkim and leaders of political parties of Sikkim.

Referring to Assembly seats reserved for the Bhutia-Lepchas, Khurshid said, “…12 seats are reserved for Bhutia-Lepcha not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and Political Parties of Sikkim.”

   Meanwhile, representatives of several Bhutia-Lepcha organizations such as SIBLAC, Dregoen Jingkyong Tsogchen (All Sikkim Monasteries Association), Monks of Sikkim (MOS), National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO), Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Save Kabi Longtsok Committee (SKLC) and Affected Citizen of Teesta (ACT) paid a courtesy call to the new Governor Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil here at the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday.

While welcoming the new Governor members briefed him on numerous issues of the State.

SLP not satisfied with old settlers’ amendment petition

Gangtok, Aug 16: The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) has expressed its dissatisfaction over the amendment petition submitted before the Supreme Court recently by old settlers of the State on the income tax issue.

SLP chief Duknath Nepal said the petitioners had informed the apex court that they were forced to make amendments in their petition in view of “non-cooperation” threat my the majority Nepalese community.

“They have said in particular that they have been threatened and if apologies is not tendered to the Nepalese community and writ not withdrawn, then a State wide non-cooperation movement would be initiated,” Nepal said in a press statement.

Nepal alleged that old settlers of the State had no “loyalty” to Sikkim and were not present in the former kingdom when the Sikkim Subject Certificates were issued by the Chogyal in 1961.

“Those who were not present when Sikkim was Sikkim as a separate nation but are desperate to become Sikkimese when Sikkim has become part of India, are traitors and anti-nationals,” Nepal said.

RS panel for IT exemption for pre-1975 old settlers

Gangtok, Aug 16: While a section of the old settlers of Sikkim has approached the Supreme Court on the income tax issue another section led by Prem Goyal has taken the matter to the Rajya Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions has responded favourably to Goyal’s demand that old settlers in the State, who have been residing in the former kingdom for generations, be given income tax payment exemption as in the case of Lepchas, Bhutias and Sikkimese Nepalese.

In its recent report, the Committee, headed by Bhagat Singh Koshyari, has recommended that Sikkim’s pre-1975 old settlers be treated equally with “Sikkim subjects” in all “socio-economic and political rights” in the “interest of justice, equality and welfare of its citizens”.

The report said the decision of ancestors of 400 families of Sikkim to retain their Indian citizenship when Sikkim Subjects Certificates were issued in 1960s has now placed their descendants in  “disadvantage position”.

Referring to the Finance Act of 2008, the report said the Act provided IT exemption to “Sikkim subjects” while leaving out the old settlers.

The report noted that while 73, 431 individuals who were given Certificate of Identification and Indian citizenship in 1989 have been exempted from the IT purview while the old settlers in the State have been left out and were discriminated.

The report also revealed that the State Government had objected to old settlers’ demand on the IT issue, stating that it was “highly objectionable and unacceptable”. (also see edit on page 2)

Scrap GTA first, Gorkha League tells GJM

Joining JAC conditional: Bharati Tamang

Darjeeling, Aug 16: Fissures appeared barely a day after GJM propped up an eight-party platform for Gorkhaland stir as major constituent All-India Gorkha League walked out demanding that its three conditions be met first, including the scrapping of the Territorial Administration (GTA).

The AIGL had raised three demands at the all party meeting yesterday at which the platform, Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee was formed, AIGL president Bharti Tamang told a press conference here on Saturday.

Bharati Tamang, who took over the party following the murder of her husband and then president Madan Tamang in Darjeeling town on May 21, 2010, said the demands were that the GJM should quit the GTA, all GTA members should resign and there should be speedy justice for Madan Tamang, PTI reported.

"If the GJM leadership shows interest in meeting our demands, we will return to the GJAC," Bharati Tamang said.

The decision was communicated to Enos Das Pradhan, chief of GJAC, she said.

"The existence of GTA and the Gorkhaland movement cannot go together," AIGL General Secretary Pratap Khati said.

"Till GTA is there, we cannot advance our movement to achieve Gorkhaland. GTA has to be repealed," he said.

Following withdrawal of the ABGL, the third largest party after GJM and CPRM (Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists), leaders of the other smaller parties said they would also raise their own demands at the all-party meeting.

Meanwhile, GJM supreme Bimal Gurung, in a Facebook post, claimed that historically Darjeeling was never a part of Bengal, apparently to counter Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertion that West Bengal would not be divided.

"The creation of Gorkhaland is not the partition of Bengal as historically Darjeeling was not a part of Bengal and was leased by the British from the kingdom of Sikkim in 1835," Gurung said.

He said that Kalimpong, which is in Darjeeling district and the Dooars in Jalpaiguri district, were annexed in 1865 from Bhutan.

Editorial

INCOME TAX ISSUE

Live In Peace & Harmony

Despite lapses, wrong thinking and deliberate provocations from certain quarters there is the need to maintain sanity in Sikkim’s political and social circles. Old settlers of Sikkim feel aggrieved that they have been discriminated and not given exemption from payment of income tax by the Centre. Their grievance is that during the Chogyal’s rule and even after the ‘merger’ in 1975 the  three ethnic communities of Sikkim – Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese – and the old settlers all came under the purview of income tax laws of the State. Subsequently, while the Centre exempted bonafide Sikkimese possessing genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate from payment of income tax this facility was not extended to the 400 families of old settlers in Sikkim. The old settlers were forced to approach the Supreme Court when the government failed to achieve their desired objectives.

Much the same development took place in 1994 when the income tax issue became a major concern for all social organizations and political parties. In 1994 the withdrawal of income tax exemption given to Sikkim’s minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribals led to the fall of the Bhandari Government. The majority Nepalese, backed by the Bhandari Government and its Lok Sabha MP, opposed IT exemption to the Bhutia-Lepcha tribals if Sikkimese Nepalese were discriminated on the issue. During the Chamling Government the Centre granted IT exemption to the Sikkimese Nepalese. The present controversy over the IT issue should not lead to estranged relations between various sections of the community in Sikkim. Patience, tolerance and mutual concern and respect should prevail over the present situation.

Safeguards for Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepchas threatened

By KARMA T. PEMPAHISHEY

Empty seats of Bhutia-Lepcha MLAs during a recent meeting of “Save Kabi Longtsok”  at the historic site of Kabi-Lungtsok in North Sikkim.Add caption

Apropos the Statesman (Siliguri 1 August 2013) in reference to “BLPF appeals to people to pressurize MLAs” is a justifiable cause which was long time in coming in consonance of the fact that even the ST - MLA reserved constituency the Bhutia Lepcha ST consist only as a minority population of the electorate. Hence the reserved ST seat does not really beckon the safeguard of the BL (ST) and the seat normally prefers a candidate appealing to the entire population notwithstanding the reservation stricture.

This might be a plausible case in defense of the BL but under a Parliamentary system of democracy as existing in India, there is no ground to challenge nor redress the system. Probably as a result of this difficult situation Mr. Tseten Bhutia is intending to redress the lacuna by pressurising the respective MLAs in BL (ST) constituency as an alternative to the general mandate. Of course there are many means of arm twisting to attract attention directed towards the BL cause. However, in all sincere consideration this is not a final solution to safeguard the BL(ST) interests - social, political, economical and other related issues.

Although the issue deserves sympathetic attention as far as the legal and constitutional rights are concerned perceived to be marginalised by the general interest of the majority population without any quid pro quo by the latter. Therefore, the situation is without any resolution and account of which it is understood the Sikkim BL apex convener is chagrined to perceive any democratic largesse extended to the majority community is considered debilitating to the BL sustenance. No doubt this feature is also true but understandably a fractionalizing experience which the safeguard of the BL is threatened marginally in reality.

So an overall reading of the situation does not leave any concrete realisation to resolve the situation which the BL rightly perceives as a constitutional infringement and therefore attracting legal action and resorting to which might lead to a blind alley. Hence approaching the problem with a direct action to pressurize the elected members by social means at hand may or may not work at all considering the lackadaisical mindset of BL considerations. Anyway a try is worth the deal but frankly speaking it will not contain the situation. Rather at times it might be adverse and counter productive. After all politics in play can resort to any means to reach the end.

Other then the method contemplated i.e. directly pressurizing the elected members by itself is a misnomer for social harmony at any rate. The BL if truly is sincere in executing action towards stabilizing the perceived marginalisation of the BL safeguards, the right plan of action would be to treat the problem constitutionally down the line without impinging on the democratic rights of the majority population. After all in a democratic system, needless to mention every individual inspite of all claims have a right to redress their perception for judicial interpretation and accord relief. In the same light it can be argued the BL can also put up their grievances to the proper authorities to review their anxiety under the present digression from the marginalisation of their constitutional rights to the national forum. However, before addressing it as such it is of utmost importance first to understand the equation under which the BL seats are reserved vis-à-vis the majority population. The basis of the grounds on which the reservations are statutorily deemed requires to be identified to place it on the table with firmness.

This strength can only be derived after understanding the rationale on basis of which the BL assembly seats are reserved. In order to understand this discriminately one has to allude to the UNO observation of criteria’s in determining the difference between 1. Indigenous people and 2. Tribes, which in fact are two sides of the same coin however differentiated by the distinct marks on the overse and the reverse.  Symbolically the overse side is pictured with the important insignee applicable to the origination of the coin. Normally represented by the head of state or nation.

Similarly the difference in definition (UNO) that the indigenous people are the autochthones group or communities existing and inhabiting that part of the country (when encountered, and in relation to the coming and settlement of the invaders, and still existing till such period of time when the invaders having left). This definition excludes the meaning of the indigenous people as distinct from other tribes existing within the same area. This is to understand all scheduled tribes are by definition not necessary the indigenous people who are endowed with inherent fundamental human rights to demand self determination, internal or external whichever applicable. This is the understanding of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People 2008 (UNDRIP). (The writer is author of Roadmap on the Trail to Gorkhaland)

Indian, Chinese troops exchange beer, rasgullas after face-off in Sikkim

New Delhi, Aug 16: Indian and Chinese troops had a face-off in Sikkim earlier this week which, however, ended in a friendly exchange of beer and rasgullas.

The face-off happened near the Tangkar La pass at the height of over 16,000 feet in eastern Sikkim after a Chinese patrol entered into territory claimed by India, sources told PTI here.

The Chinese patrol, which was travelling in two light vehicles, was monitored by the Indian team comprising a young lieutenant and nine jawans there, they said.

The Indian patrol intercepted the Chinese patrol at the Tangkar La pass and after that, they showed banners to each other asking to leave the area and go back into their respective territories.

At the time of parting, the Chinese troops presented cans of Budweiser beer to the Indian patrol while our troops gifted them a pack of rosogollas, they said.

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Saturday   Aug 10-16,  2013    

Sikkim OBSERVER

Turns

 27

 THIS WEEK

TNA fund drive had consent of parents, teachers and ex-students: Principal

Give sufficient funds to TNA, ex-education minister KN Upreti tells govt

Gangtok, Aug 9: The ongoing fund drive for construction of school toilets has the approval of parents, teachers and ex-students, according to Tashi Namgyal Academy Principal Kuldip Singh Heran.

Reacting to newsitems on the subject, Heran said the initiative for construction of “modern toilet facility” for junior school students came from ‘TNA Alumni Association’, which had requested students and staff members for “voluntary contribution”.

Subsequent to the alumni body’s request the matter was discussed during the ‘Parents Teachers Meeting’ to seek their “co-operation”. “During the meeting no parent disapproved” of the school circular “regarding contribution for construction of toilets,” the Principal said in his letter to Sikkim Observer. Besides Ex-Tenacians, staff members of the school have also contributed for construction of toilets.

The Principal explained that funds collected for the said purpose have not been used so far and if the TNA Board wants the contributions to be returned “we will return back the same”. The Board is expected to meet on August 17.

Heran pointed out that TNA “never gave any kind of unnecessary financial burden to the parents” and since he took over the institution on January 2012 the school has not asked “any kind of donation from parents for admission of their wards in our institution”.

He said 90% of the school budget is spent on payment of salaries of 136 (76 teaching and 60 non-teaching) staff members. Part of school budget has been used for renovation of hostel toilets, maintenance and development of school infrastructure, purchase of computers, buses and smart class boards.

Ex-education minister reacts: Meanwhile, former education minister and Ex-Tenacian KN Upreti criticized the State Government’s “apathy” towards the “prestigious institution”. In his press statement, Upreti said it is a “matter of shame” that TNA “has to survive on donations for even constructing its toilets and other minor repairs”.

Upreti urged the government to “grant sufficient fund as grant-in-aid” to meet the school’s financial requirements.

“TNA is one of the most prestigious schools in the country. It has produced many eminent personalities many of whom are well-placed in the Sikkim Government. We must all cooperate to take TNA to higher level in all respect,” said a concerned parent.

Lepcha body award for CM

Gangtok, Aug 9: The Renjyong Mutanchi Rong Tarjum yesterday presented its Mayal Kumchee Award to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on the concluding day of the two-day celebrations of the annual Tendong Lho Rum Faat festival.

The award, presented for the first time, is the “highest honour” to an individual, according to an IPR release quoting the citation of the award.

Former minister and Sikkim Lepcha Association President Sonam Dupden Lepcha thanked the Chief Minister for his efforts to preserve Lepcha identity, culture and tradition.

GJM chief calls for opposition unity on Gorkhaland

Kalimpong, Aug 9: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung said that a separate state can only be achieved only if people make the supreme sacrifice and called upon opposition parties to join the movement for Gorkhaland.

Conceding that the path leading to statehood is difficult, Gurung said, “The aspiration of Indian Gorkhas would not be fulfilled merely by singing and dancing. For this we need to sacrifice our lives.’

Addressing more than 10,000 people gathered at Kalimpong’s Damber Chowk to pay their last respect to Mangal Singh Rajput, the first Gorkhaland activist to commit self-immolation, Gurung said, “Statehood cannot be achieved merely by singing, dancing and clapping. The time has come for everyone to come to the field and make sacrifice,” The Hindustan Times reported.

Gurung, who resigned from the post of chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) after the Centre decided to create a separate state of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh, also called opposition parties in the hills to come forward and join the movement.

 “The time has come for opposition parties to come out of their comfort zone and join the Gorkhaland movement. Come out with your parties’ respective flags and join the movement. We are ready to sacrifice our lives and the Centre and the state government should also understand that even people belonging to minority communities are ready to sacrifice for Gorkhaland,” Gurung said.

Mahindra P Lama, former vice-chancellor of Sikkim Univer sity has given a call to all political parties of the Hills, Terai and Dooars to meet the prime minister in Delhi with the demand for a separate state.

He has also invited all the present and former Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly, West Bengal from this region to join in the delegation.

SDF supports ‘Gorkhaland’ demand, raises tribal status for Sikkimese Nepalese

Gangtok, Aug 9: While supporting the demand for creation of a separate state of Darjeeling in neighbouring West Bengal, Sikkim Democratic Front legislators on Sunday reiterated their demand for tribal status for ‘left-out’ Nepali community in the State.

During a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, the legislators observed that a resolution on the issue was passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on March 29, 2011.

The resolution demanded formation of Gorkhaland State and also stated that it is the ultimate and permanent solution to ease out hardships suffered by the Sikkimese people.

Referring to Assembly seat reservation for Sikkimese Nepalese, party spokesperson Bhim Dahal said seats for Nepalese in the State Assembly would be reserved if the ‘left-out’ Nepalese in the State are declared tribals.

The Burman Commission’s report on providing tribal status to the remaining Nepali community has already been passed in the Assembly and forwarded to the Centre, Dahal said.

 So far, only Limbus and Tamangs among the majority Nepalese in the State have been granted tribal status. The ruling party also reiterated its promise on reservation of Assembly seats for State’s Limbus and Tamangs in the Assembly.

SC allows old settlers to amend petition                                          Gangtok, Aug 9: The Supreme Court has allowed the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS) to amends its application during the hearing of case last Friday.

The apex court has also allowed Manita Pradhan to “step out of the petition” owing to her “ill health and personal difficulties,” said AOSS President RC Mundra in a press statement last week.

In response to public request, the AOSS on July 31 made an application to the apex court to make “necessary amendments”, including the request for striking off income tax exemption granted to bonafide Sikkimese, Mundra said.

Mundra said the use of “certain words and phrases” in AOSS’s writ petition has “hurt the sentiments of our Sikkimese brothers”.

To please China, Centre drops Arunachal, Sikkim from proposed World Bank loan

New Delhi, Aug 9: The Indian government has dropped Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim from a World Bank loan proposal to avoid running into Chinese objections over multilateral financial aid to projects in the border areas, according to two government officials.

The initial proposal for a Rs.11,000 crore loan to strengthen electricity transmission and distribution in the northeastern region covered Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. After excluding the two states, the loan amount is around Rs.8,115 crore. The projects in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are to be financed by the government, The Wall Street Journal reported.

To be sure, the proposal is still in the works and is yet to be formally presented to the World Bank. “The government is seeking the loan only for six northeastern states from the World Bank for the comprehensive scheme for strengthening transmission and distribution in the north eastern region.

Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, which were earlier included will be funded through a separate window under the NLCPR (non-lapsable central pool of resources),” said an Indian government official, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.

“It was due to the China factor that the two states were dropped, but it wasn’t the case that the government proposed and World Bank rejected funding for them,” said the official.

“Even for the six states, funding has still not been approved and the finance ministry is finding ways to work around raising the headroom for GoI (government of India) borrowing from World Bank for this.”

Ties between the neighbours have oscillated between conflict and a tense bonhomie over the past few decades. China claims 90,000 sq. km of Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh and occupies around 38,000 sq. km in Jammu and Kashmir, which India claims is its own.

“While Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim were part of the original plan, they were later dropped and the projects will now be funded by the government of India,” a senior government official said, declining to be named.

Finance ministry officials said they were not aware of the matter. Strategic analysts were critical of India’s strategy, describing it as being timid.

“Whatever be the concerns behind not seeking assistance for Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, be it anxiety about China or keeping areas contiguous to China underdeveloped, the logic does not hold,” said C. Uday Bhaskar, distinguished fellow at the New Delhi-based Society for Policy Studies.

“India cannot appear to be so timid if it is staking a claim to these states. If you are staking a claim then you have to treat them as any other state and address economic development, of which power is a primary requirement,” said Bhaskar.

A row broke out in 2009 over a $2.9 billion Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan with China protesting the inclusion of a water management project in Arunachal in the lender’s country assistance strategy for India.

“The two states were earlier a part of the proposed loan which is in the works,” said another government official, who also didn’t wish to be identified. He tried to play down the China angle and said, “It is well known that World Bank doesn’t give loan to the border areas.”

Editorial

BATTLING GRAFT

United In Misdeed

   Setting the stage for a standoff in the Supreme Court on the autonomy issue, an assertive Centre has junked CBI’s stand for more power for its Director, saying an all powerful chief without checks and balances entails the risk of ”potential misuse”. Reflecting its double standards on the issue the Centre while rejecting CBI’s opposition for an Accountability Commission for the agency, said that the need for an “external, independent and strong watchdog is imperative”. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) also took a tough stand on CBI’s plea for an independent committee headed by CVC to grant sanction for prosecution of senior bureaucrats and insisted on retaining such powers. The government stand raises questions on its assurance of ensuring autonomy given to the Supreme Court which had described CBI as a “caged parrot” that has to be insulated from interference by political executives and external influences.

   Slamming the Centre’s move to keep parties outside RTI, former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd) N Santosh Hegde rightly argued they are public bodies answerable to the people, who want to know from where they get funds from. Hegde said political parties are certainly involved in administration one way or other. "Who's the government? It's the political party in power", he said, adding opposition parties also control activities of their ruling counterparts. The proposed amendments to the RTI Act state that declaring political parties as public authorities under the RTI would "hamper their smooth internal functioning since it will encourage political rivals to file RTI applications with malicious intentions". That all major political parties are united in their fight against greater accountability and transparency in the functioning of the CBI and their reluctance to come under the RTI are indications that the political class in India do not have the will to take strong measures to curb corruption in the country.

India treats Bhutan as its ‘protectorate’: Chinese expert

Beijing, Aug 9: An expert with a Chinese government-controlled thinktank has accused India of interfering in Bhutan's elections that resulted in the toppling of the ruling party. The expert said in an article published by Beijing-based Global Times that India wants to control the "buffer state" out of a fear of Chinese aggression.

"As a country located between China and India, Bhutan serves as a buffer and is of critical strategic importance to the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow stretch of land that connects India's northeastern states to the rest of India," wrote Liu Zongyi, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies.

"The corridor is considered a vulnerable bottleneck for India's national security. Delhi worries that China will send troops to the corridor if a Sino-Indian military clash breaks out," he wrote in the Global Times which is known to take a harsh stance on New Delhi.

The article said India treats Bhutan as its "protectorate" and controls its economic lifeline. It said Indian officials play politics with petroleum subsidy to influence the elections to bring about a victory for the main opposition People's Democratic Party.

China is upset because the election has robbed Beijing of an opportunity to extend its market and reach closer to the Indian border as it is doing with Myanmar and Nepal, sources said. The outgoing Peace and Prosperity Party had tried to enhance its relationship with China and resolve border problems between the two countries.

The article suggested that the sovereignty of Bhutan's royal family and the political elite as also its democracy was at risk because of India's influence.

"India won't allow Bhutan to freely engage in diplomacy with China and solve the border issue," it said. "India's interference in Bhutan's election is a tragedy for Thimphu. Bhutan is still firmly under Indian control," it added.

Repair work begins at Lachen nunnery

Lachen, Aug 9: The Tibetan Heritage Fund, an NGO from abroad, has started repair works of  the Mani Lhagang (nunnery) in Lachen, North Sikkim.

The nunnery, located above the village and next to the Lachen monastery, is more than 100 yrs old  and was founded by Dzogchen Sungrap  Gyatsho Rinpoche. Restoration work began last month.

The nunnery has one of the biggest  mani khorlos (big prayer wheel) in the State.

Chungthang Teesta project to produce power by year-end

Gangtok, Aug 9: Sikkim's largest hydel project, the 1200 MW Teesta Stage III at Chungthang in North district, delayed by the 18 September 2011 earthquake is expected to begin phase-wise generation by the end of the year.

The project was originally scheduled to be commissioned by November 2011, a deadline made impossible by the September 18, 2011 earthquake.

Senior officials at the Energy & Power Department said that the first phase of operation of one of the six turbines of 200 MW capacity each is expected to begin in December 2013 and all six turbines made operative by April next year.

A major hurdle in completion of work on the project site is the construction of Rangchang bridge which had collapsed on 19 December, 2011.

Once the bridge was restored, equipment could be trucked to the project site at Chungthang and final work on the project undertaken, the officials said.

Former Secretary to the state government KN Bhutia, recently appointed chairperson to the Teesta Urja board of directors by the government, is monitoring the project development.

Teesta Stage III is a joint venture project between the state government and Teesta Urja Pvt Ltd.

The state government will get 12 per cent of the generated electricity from the project free of cost along with one per cent more as environment cess.

Tribute To Sikkim’s Anti-Merger Heroes

 “History will look back to this era as Sikkim’s final hour”

   By Jigme N. Kazi

‘Badmash,’ was his reaction to a newsitem in a Calcutta-based daily on himself and Sikkim. Obviously the Chogyal did not like the report. Most reports on the happenings in Sikkim in those days in national dailies were slanted and one-sided. There were only the two of us – my friend Hem Lall Bhandari and myself – when the Chogyal made the remark at the small lawn of the Palace adjacent to the office. This was in December 1979 or early 1980 – just before the two of us left for Bombay for our three-year law degree course.

   This was perhaps my first close encounter with Palden Thondup Namgyal – the 12^th Chogyal of Sikkim and the man that I deeply admire and respect.  I don’t remember saying anything to him except perhaps to wish him a Happy New Year. The last time we – Sikkimese students in Bombay – met the Chogyal was with Prince Wangchuk at a hotel in Bombay towards the end of 1981 where he had invited us for dinner. It was a quiet affair – perhaps too quiet and solemn. That was perhaps the last time that we got to meet him. He left for medical treatment in the US shortly and died in a New York hospital on January 29, 1982.

   Beginning from early 1973, when political upheaval rocked the tiny Himalayan Kingdom, the Chogyal suffered and endured great personal and political losses. He lost his crown in 1975; his first born son Prince Tenzing in 1978 in a car accident; and finally his wife and almost his two youngest kids in 1980. Dethroned and betrayed by his close associates and friends, the Chogyal was forced to live in isolation and solitary confinement in his Palace in Gangtok for a long, long time until he passed away at the age of 59. His greatest gift to us is that he did not give his ascent to the ‘merger’ despite tremendous pressure to do so.

   Those who ditched him included teacher-turned-politician Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who with the Chogyal’s help, formed the anti-merger Sikkim Janata Parishad Government on October 18, 1979. After he came to power Bhandari’s close associate and Parishad leader and legislator Lal Bahadur Basnet, the party’s spokesman, surprisingly declared: “Merger is a fait accompli”, meaning there was nothing that could be done to undo what was done. It was a very convenient statement to stay in power; it smacked of betrayal.  And there ended the hopes of the people on Bhandari, whose party came to power on an anti-merger platform after defeating LD Kazi’s pro-merger party.

   And yet – despite the letdown – I  still stand by on what I had written about Bhandari in my Spotlight on Sikkim in early 1984: ‘The victory of Bhandari’s Sikkim Parishad in 1979 elections symbolized the triumph of anti-merger forces, whose main objective can best be expressed in three words – ‘Sikkim For Sikkimese’ …Though Bhandari has long abandoned the cause of the people, his final departure from the post of chief ministership (in May 1984) symbolizes the end of an era, which could best be described in the words of Tennyson” “To strive, to find, and not to yield.” Perhaps history will look back to this era and recall this period as Sikkim’s “final hour.” Bhandari then will not be remembered for the wrongs he has done but for the things he hoped to do and for the dreams he set out to fulfill.”

   Lachen Rinpoche was a young man when India began mobilizing its forces to take over the Himalayan kingdom in early 1970s. He – perhaps being one of the few Sikkimese tulkus – was one of the Sikkimese nationalists who openly threw stones at central reserve police forces in Gangtok to oppose the takeover. Bhandari’s Parishad managed to win 16 of the 32 seats in the House and with Lachen Rinpoche’s help – he was the Sangha MLA  (independent) – the Parishad formed the government.

   Rinpoche passed away on September 18 last year after prolonged illness. His last wish was to build a statue of Guru Rinpoche, who visited Sikkim in the 8^th century, at the sacred Gurudongmar Lake in Lachen, North Sikkim. His Holiness the Sakya Trizin referred to Rinpoche as “one of the outstanding masters of his generation.”

   Athup Lepcha was a mere employee in the State forest department when Sikkimese nationalist leaders approached him to take on the merger architect – Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa – in the 1979 Assembly elections from the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu in North Sikkim. Kazi – a Lepcha – thought Dzongu would be the safest constituency to return to the Assembly. But the Lepchas of Dzongu voted for Athup and gave a befitting send-off to the man who ‘sold’ Sikkim to its protecting power. Kazi bit the dust, settled in neighbouring Kalimpong after the humiliating defeat and finally died a lonely death.

   ‘Capt’ Sonam Yongda of the Sikkim Guards was – and still is – unflinchingly loyal to the Chogyal and Sikkim. He was unjustifiably jailed several times for standing up for his cause. The establishment – as in the merge era – still treats pro-Sikkim people as ‘anti-India.’ When will India realize that we mean no harm to it for being pro-Sikkim? Have we demanded independence? We have only asked for preservation of our distinct identity within the Indian Union.

   My friend Hem Lall Bhandari was just a student when he questioned the merger. He still continues to do so.  Why not? India’s own Prime Minister Morarji Desai said the manner in which Sikkim was merged was not right. Hem Lall’s decision to edit Pro-Sikkim English weekly recently reflected his love and dedication for Sikkim. It is very unfortunate and sad that those leaders who profess to be pro-Sikkim have not been able to utilize the services of Hem Lall and others like him who share the same conviction. By their action our so-called leaders have exposed themselves and shown who they really are.

   There are many, including people like Netuk Tsering, Martam Topden, DK Khati, Tholung Pipon, Kunzang Dorji, Basant Kumar Chhetri, Sherab Palden, Ugen Paljor Gyaltsen, MM Rasaily, whose contributions in opposing the ‘merger’ during and after the takeover must be appreciated and acknowledged. And there are many more – unknown and unsung heroes – who stood for Sikkim during its hour of trial and tribulation.

   The role of people like KC Pradhan and RC Poudyal during the ‘merger’ period have been misunderstood by many. They wanted democracy with greater political power for the majority Sikkimese Nepalese within the bounds of Sikkim and were against being part of the world’s largest democracy. They should not be blamed for what eventually happened to Sikkim. They were overtaken by events and became victims of circumstances and power politics.

   Long after the takeover, fake democrats who betrayed Sikkim and the Sikkimese people still continue to be rewarded and decorated just to please New Delhi. One of the unkindest cut that was inflicted on our anti-merger heroes was Sherab Palden’s felicitation on May 16, 2013 (merger day). It was a crude bid to tarnish his image; but it will not work. Our memories of the merger era are intact and agents of disunity, division and destruction will bite the dust one day.

  In this column I want to say how indebted and grateful we are to those who stood up, suffered and yet fought for preservation of Sikkim’s unique international status. I believe there are many who share my feeling on this.

   When I asked him several years back what his feelings for Sikkim was now that everything is over, noted journalist and columnist Sunanda K. Datta-Ray just said, “It is not my country” and left at that. And yet Datta-Ray’s book – Smash and Grab – Annexation of Sikkim – must go down in history as perhaps the only authoritative and authentic account of what really happened to Sikkim during the merger and why. Here is a worthy non-Sikkimese Indian who shared our burden and courageously informed the world the injustices we had to put up with. 

   When I met the author in Gangtok recently and asked him to autograph his book which I bought in 1985 he wrote: “With warm regards for a true and loyal son of Sikkim.” This was my reward for being pro-Sikkim and standing up against all odds all along – despite trying circumstances – from a person I respect.

   After his death the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, which during Kazi’s rule abolished the institution of the Chogyal, paid a tribute to the fallen hero in these words which were read out in the Assembly by its Deputy Speaker Lal Bahadur Basnet:  “During the hour of his trial, when his very throne was at stake, Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal stood like a rock and sacrificed petty considerations for the lofty ideal he had espoused. He lost, but in the very process of losing his throne and status, he rose to his full stature. For when ‘little men’ who rule the roost in Sikkim will have been consigned to dust, posterity will look back with awe and respect upon the last representative of the House of Namgyal on the throne of Sikkim and say that Palden Thondup Namgyal bowed out of the political stage of Sikkim with the grace of a ruler and with the courage of a real man. He lost his Kingdom, but gained a martyr’s halo. And his descendents will be able to walk with their heads held high whatever their circumstances in life happen to be.”

  Indeed, all true sons and daughters of Sikkim will forever walk with their heads held high in the land of their origin no matter what all because of those who did not bow down when the easy thing was to give in to pressures and lures of a better life. (Talk Sikkim)

SIKKIM OBSERVER Page 1  Saturday   Aug 3-9,  2013    

 Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Mamata slams Centre over promise of UT status to Darjeeling

Mamata accepts Gurung’s resignation, says no to division of Bengal

Kolkata, Aug 2: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Wednesday that the UPA government had promised some Gorkha leaders that the Centre will convert Darjeeling into an Union Territory and some Union ministers had encouraged Gorkha leaders to renew their movement in Darjeeling demanding a separate state.

"A few days back, some Union minister had summoned one or two Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leaders and advised them to organise movement in Darjeeling by renewing their old demand for a separate Gorkha state. These ministers had also promised the GJM leaders that the Centre will convert Darjeeling into an Union territory," IndiaWires.com reported.

"The GJM is now holding their agitation in Darjeeling by citing the Centre's move to accept the demand for a separate Telengana state. I condemn that Centre as I feel some Congress ministers are trying to split India into several regions. Demand for a Telengana state is an old issue and the Congress has picked it up just before the next parliamentary elections," the Chief Minister told reporters at Writers' Buildings on Wednesday before leaving Kolkata for Mumbai to attend an industry summit there on Thursday.

Mamata also expressed displeasure over the Centre's reported move to convert Darjeeling into an Union territory. "Is is a fun? How can the Centre assure GJM leaders about converting Darjeeling into an Union terriroty without consulting the state government?" the Chief Minister asked by adding that "our government will never accept the Gorkha's demand for a separate state."

The Chief minister also said that her government has accepted resignation of Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive officer (CEO) Bimal Gurung and declared that her government will not allow any split in Bengal by accepting Gurung's demand for a Gorkhaland. "Gurung has sent his resignation letter to the governor and we have accepted the same. Anybody can resign from any position and this is his democratic right. The GTA was formed following a tripartite agreement among the Centre, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) and our government. GTA was formed democratically through elections and the development work in Darjeeling has begun. We love Darjeeling and nobody would be able to pose any danger before our government," the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, Darjeeling has turned violent again following the GJM's decision to go for an indefinite bandh in the Hills from Saturday. The GJM had called a 72-hour bandh in the Hills from Monday and the bandh ended on Wednesday. The GJM has announced a fresh indefinite bandh in the hills from Saturday and has asked the tourists and students to vacate Darjeeling by Friday. The Chief Minister also reacted sharply at the GJM's threat to go for an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling from Saturday.

"We love Darjeeling very much and we consider Darjeeling as an integral party of West Bengal. Our government will not allow any split in West Bengal and we will not accept GJM's demand for a Gorkha state. No one would be able to do any harm to the people of Darjeeling and people living in other parts of our state. We will protect everyone," the chief minister said.

All parties against Gorkhaland demand

Kolkata, Aug 2: The entire opposition in the State on Wednesday stood by the side of the Trinamool Congress government to protest the creation of Gorkhaland.

The state unit of BJP, whose MP from Darjeeling — Jaswant Singh — supported the cause of the separate state in the hills, disassociated itself from the MP and said that it was totally opposed to the creation of Gorkhaland. "We will fight tooth and nail against any further division of Bengal. That will be done on our dead bodies. Economically, politically and geographically Gorkhaland is not possible. The issues of Telangana and Gorkhaland are totally separate," said Rahul Sinha, BJP state unit president, The Indian Express reported.

The Congress, too, vehemently opposed the creation of Gorkhaland. "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed the Centre for igniting the fires in the hills but she is absolutely wrong. Telangana has been given statehood keeping in mind the aspirations of the people there," senior Congress leader Manas Bhunia said.

The CPM, however, blamed the Congress, BJP and Trinamool for the situation in the hills. "Mamata said the hills were smiling. Now they are groaning in pain," said CPM's Ashok Bhattacharya.

Meanwhile, Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive officer Bimal Gurung resigned from the post on Tuesday to press for a separate Gorkhaland.

His resignation followed Congress and the UPA coalition unanimously endorsing creation of a separate Telangana state carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

"Bimal Gurung has already sent his resignation to Governor M. K. Narayanan this evening (Tuesday). We have decided to go on a bigger protest in demand of a separate Gorkhaland state carved out of the hill region," Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) general secretary Roshan Giri said.

Giri said the party also appealed to the tourists and students who are studying in in Darjeeling to leave immediately. "We have requested them to vacant the hills as early as possible as we are going on an indefinite strike from August 3 in the hills," he added.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at the Congress for agreeing to create a Telengana state saying the decision was to win seats in the polls. “The UPA government has created Telangana to gain few seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls,” CNN-IBN reported.

Banerjee also said that there Gorkhaland would not be created and Darjeeling will continue to be a part of West Bengal. “We are not dissolving GTA, Darjeeling will be a part of West Bengal,” she said.

Impose President’s rule in Sikkim to ease communal tension: Bhandari

Gangtok, Aug 2: Former Chief Minister and Sikkim Sangram Parishad President Nar Bahadur Bhandari said the only way to ease the growing communal tension in the State following submission of a controversial writ petition in the Supreme Court on the income tax issue is to immediately impose President’s rule in the State.

He said he would call on the Governor shortly on the issue. If even after the next hearing of the case in the apex court – slated for today – the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of all parties there will be turmoil and tension in the strategic and sensitive border State, Bhandari said during his press conference held here this week.

Bhandari blamed the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front for the present “communal crisis”.  He said the ruling government was responsible for doing away with the old Income Tax Manuel Manual of 1948 and bringing in the central tax laws in the State.

Under the old law, all the three ethnic communities as well as the old business community had to pay income tax to the State Government.

The old settlers in the State feel that while the ethnic communities who possess the Sikkim Subject identity certificate have been exempted from payment of income tax under the central law they have not been exempted.

However, what has hurt the Sikkimese is that the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS) in its writ petition has reportedly urged the apex court to annual income tax exemption given to bonafide Sikkimese if the old settlers in the State are not granted tax exemption.

Another worrying part of the petition which has not gone well with the people is labeling Sikkimese Nepalese as ‘foreigners’. Most political parties and social organizations have reacted adversely against this remark. If this allegation is not withdrawn on time there could be a major communal flare up in the State leading to political instability.

I have not withdrawn graft case from SC: Delay

Gangtok, Aug 2: Contrary to popular belief Delay Namgyal said he has not withdrawn his petition from the Supreme Court.

Instead, he has alleged that those who said he has withdrawn his petition had “ulterior motives” and were “connected” with the “respondents” to delay the case. In a press statement, Namgyal said Anand Lama and RK Rai had approached the apex court and alleged that he had submitted an application for withdrawal of the case.

Namgyal said for over a year he had become “victim of a vicious campaign aimed at ruining my reputation”. He said Lama and Rai’s allegation against him were “based on false and fabricated documents” and their main objective is to “delay the case”.

In his latest written submission to the apex court last month Namgyal has asked for an investigation into the conduct of the two applicants in the case. He has also stated that he has never written to his lawyer KV Vijaykumar seeking withdrawal of the case. In his letter dated March 12, 2013 to Namgyal, Vijaykumar has stated that he has never received any letter from the petitioner for withdrawal of the case. Namgyal has submitted the letter to the court.

Last year, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Central and Sikkim governments and the CBI on a plea seeking the quashing of a notification requiring prior sanction of the Sikkim Government for probing complaints of corruption against highly-placed politicians.

A bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice H.L. Gokhale had issued notice on a petition by Delay Namgyal seeking the quashing of July 21, 2010 notification.

The petitioner alleged that this was issued to thwart the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and other ministers for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.

Prior to the notification there was a general consent under which CBI could proceed against any official of the state or the central government in the State without any sanction.

The petition said that the initial CBI probe has found that Chamling and his legislators “had indulged in various corrupt practices including the commission of criminal misconduct and acquisition of disproportionate assets”.

Minorities feel insecure, forms ‘Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force’

Seeks restoration of Sikkimese Nepalese’ Assembly seats, protection for old settlers

Gangtok, Aug 2: In a democracy, the majority rules and the minorities are protected. But this certainly is not happening in Sikkim.

Therefore, the minority indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals have formed the ‘Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force’ (BLPF) to protect themselves and to preserve their natural and cultural heritage.

The new development took place after the ruling elite failed to respond positively to their demand to protect and preserve their rich cultural heritage. This week, Bhutia-Lepcha youths and their leaders have taken upon themselves to play a more assertive role in safeguarding their culture, religion and environment.

The formation of BLPF follows the Chamling Government’s eagerness to develop and beautify the last remnants of Sikkim’s history – the historic and sacred site of Kabi-Longtsok in North Sikkim where the ancestors of the Bhutia-Lepchas (BLs) swore eternal blood-brotherhood in the 13^th century.

The formation of the ‘Protection Force’ took place during a historic meeting of the BLs here at BL House on Tuesday. The meeting took note of numerous ‘attacks’ on issues and sacred areas that are dear to the BLs: Revenue Order No, 1, Tashiding and Dzongu hydel projects, Burman Committee Report, Khechoedpelri Lake, Kabi-Longtsok and failure of 13 BL MLAs, including the lone Sangha MLA, to speak up on behalf of the indigenous communities.

While calling for protection for the BLs under Article 371F of the Constitution, resolution passed by the BLPF demanded restoration of Assembly seats of Sikkimese Nepalese, checking of influx, fight against communalism and casteism and protection of old business community in the State.

The meeting also constituted an Adhoc Committee for BLPF’s  Central Executive Committee. The members of the Committee are: Phigu Tshering Bhutia (President), Ongda Lepcha and Karma Gelay Lepcha (Vice-President), Passsang Namgyal Lepcha and Tseten Dorje Bhutia (General Secretary), Tashi Tshering Bhutia (Secretary – Press & Publicity) and Sonam Tashi Bhutia (Coordinator).

Chewang Rinzing Lepcha was unanimously elected Co-Convenor of SIBLAC during the meeting.

Proment among those who were present at the meeting were: BLPF President Phigu Tshering Bhutia, BLPF Vice-President Chewang Norbu Lepcha,  SIBLAC Convenors Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Chewang Rinzing Lepcha, President of Monks of Sikkim Cho Tshering Norby, President of Survival Sikkimese KL Kaloen, NASBO President Sonam Kaloen, ex-directors of Sikkim Government Passang Bhutia and Karma Bhutia and ACT leader Chophel Lepcha and Lama Sherab Tenzing Lepcha.

DRUKAIR agency in Gangtok

Bhutan’s Drukair now has an authorized agent in Sikkim. Based in Gangtok at Observer Building, Nam Nang, Armando Tours & Travels (International) has started operation from today (Friday Aug 2, 2013) after a ceremonial opening of the agency by Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche of Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre). The function was attended by Speaker KT Gyaltsen, Secretary L. Gyaltsen and former Principal of Institute of Hotel Management JT Gyaltsen.

Editorial

STATEHOOD DEMAND REVIVED

Leaders On Agitation Mode

The string of political events that will seize the country immediately with Telangana being allowed to assume statehood, has already started gathering steam. To begin with, security forces have already been alerted in other states which are dealing with demands of separatist movements. The major movements are in states including West Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra.

Bimal Gurung, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief who has just resigned from his post to lead the Gorkhaland demand, has already declared that if the UPA forms Telangana, it should also allow Gorkhalanad to be formed. “Our demand for Gorkhaland is older than the demand for Telangana. If the Centre announces a Telangana state then it should also declare a Gorkhaland state,” Gurung had told reporters.

There have been sporadic demands for the new state through the decades, but the momentum picked up in the 1980s with Gorkha leader Subhash Ghising leading a violent agitation seeking autonomy. Consequently in 1988, following sustained protests by Ghising’s party Gorkha National Liberation Front, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, a body with certain administrative powers, was formed. Soon, dissent started pooling against Ghising, and Bimal Gurung, another flamboyant Gorkha leader, broke away away from DGHC to start his new party – Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) - and pursued the statehood agenda.

Another stir is the one for forming a new state of Vidarbha, which has remained considerably low-key for a while now. The activists who demanded several districts that comprise Vidarbha be separated from Maharashtra, have now raised their voices again and planned a series of protests demanding a separate state. Political leaders from Vidarbha, a region plagued by severe droughts and poverty, have argued that holistic development of the region was only possible if a separate state was formed. In Assam as well dissent is also brewing with leaders demanding a separate Bodoland. The Bodoland People’s Front has echoed Gorkhaland’s feelings, reiterating their demand that the government should create Bodoland if Telangana is formed.  The party is organising a mass rally here on August 4 to put pressure on the government on Bodoland.

Arrest culprits, BJP tells Chamling

Gangtok, Aug 2: Sikkim unit of the BJP has reacted strongly against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s allegation that anti-Sikkimese posterings in the State inciting communal sentiments are the handiwork of the opposition in the State.

Reacting to the allegation, Shanti Sharma, President of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha in a press statement challenged the Chamling Government to arrest the culprits if the administration is aware of who were behind the “shameful act” that has caused “communal disharmony” in the State.

“The matter is of great concern and being Sikkimese natives, identity of our people and its protection is our first duty,” Sharma said.

Chief Minister spelt 'Thief Minister' in Sikkim English textbook

Gangtok, Aug 2: Four officials of the State Government have reportedly been suspended over glaring mistakes in Class V textbooks.

In the Elementary Environment Science text book, the Chief Minister is named 'Thief Minister'.

 Four officials have been suspended over the incident, according to CNNIBN report.

Among other howlers, Hectares are 'hectores' and certified is 'cerelified'. The textbook has been published by Delhi-based Tulip Publications. Teachers have been asked to make corrections in textbook. 

Missing sisters found in Sikkim, 3 charged with kidnapping, rape

Gangtok, Aug 2: Three taxi drivers were on Tuesday taken into custody in East Sikkim on charges of wrongful confinement, kidnapping and rape of two minors who were reported missing since Sunday.

The two sisters, aged 16 and 12 years, who had gone missing from Singtam in East Sikkim were also traced, the police said, PTI reported.

The sisters had been taken away by a taxi driver who allegedly sexually assaulted the younger sister while returning from Siliguri on July 22.

The sisters were reported to have been lodged in a hotel at Lall Bazaar in Singtam by two other taxi drivers.

All the three taxi drivers were taken into custody by the police and the initial missing case converted to cover sections for wrongful confinement, kidnapping and rape, the police said.

PEOPLE & PLACES Jamyang Dorjee

Rare Tibetan art exhibition in New York by Sikkim’s Jamyang Dorjee

Jamyang Dorjee with the Dalai Lama

New York, Aug 2: Beginning from next week (Aug 8) and lasting till September 23 next month, Tibet House US will organise the Dharma Art, an exhibition featuring the masterful works and calligraphy art of renowned Tibetan artist Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar for the first time in a solo show.  The exhibition is being held in New York.

Jamyang Dorjee’s calligraphy is a linguistic dance of Buddhist images and elements, encompassing Lord Buddha’s body, spirit and mind. Boldly experimenting with a variety of media and styles, his work is constantly evolving.  The startling beauty and detail in Jamyang’s work comes from his deep devotion to the teachings of Buddha and his love for the Tibetan language. This is his first solo show in the United States, though his works are in private collections worldwide.

Jamyang was born in Lhasa, and later he worked as senior official for the Government of Sikkim, India and the Tibetan Government in Exile. He currently works for an NGO, the Conservancy of Tibetan Arts and Culture, and holds the world record for creating the longest calligraphy scroll.  His calligraphy pieces can be found in the private collections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, Richard Gere, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and others.

Tibet House US, established in 1987 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a non-profit educational institution and cultural embassy working to preserve, restore and present Tibet's unique cultural and spiritual heritage by means of a permanent cultural center, with a 2,000-square-foot gallery, library, archives, developing traveling exhibitions, print publications and media productions.