The
Limbus, who are demanding a development board for their community on
the lines of the Lepcha Development Board, has announced their decision
of boycotting the Lok Sabha election this time.
Speaking over phone from Kalimpong,
Yakthung Shong Chumlung president ND Limbu confirmed the decision. He
said, "Our association held a meeting on Sunday and it was attended by
members from the hills and also from the plains of the Terai and Dooars.
Prioritising our demand for a separate development board that has gone
unheard so far, we have decided to boycott the LS election this time.”
The Limbu community was granted
Scheduled Tribe status in 2003 and has a population of more than 1.5
lakh in the hills alone, while another 10,000 are estimated to be living
in the Dooars, Siliguri and Salua.
The YSC chief lamented the fact that in
spite of repeated requests and submissions to the state government,
nothing concrete had materialized yet.
"We have submitted memorandums to the
state government and even personally to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
on several occasions. But we have not got any assurance or response till
now. With no alternative before us, we have been forced to take the
decision to boycott the elections," said Limbu.
The association president maintained
that the association had submitted a memorandum with a demand for
forming a development board to the chief minister during her visit to
Kurseong on October 23 last year.
It is to be noted that the state
government issued a notice to the Tamang Youth Association (TYA) on
March 1 apprising the association of its approval for setting up a
Tamang Development and Cultural Board.
However, confusion has cropped up among
other seekers of similar development boards on the state government's
letter in para-3, which reads: "…this board will also carry out the
above activities in respect of other communities as may be notified from
time to time".
Apart from demanding a development
council, the Limbu community also wants the Limbu language to be taught
across primary school in the hills. The YSC contends a development board
would help in preserving and promoting the language, culture, tradition
and economic progress of Limbus settled in the country. (EOIC)