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‘Long March 2’ aborted

Sikkim Express: www.sikkimexpress.com
GANGTOK, November 18: The proposed pilgrimage by the Lepchas from various parts of Darjeeling region to the holy spot of Dzongu, North Sikkim which was scheduled to commence from tomorrow has been aborted due stiff resistance from the Lepchas of Dzongu.
The Lepchas from Kalimpong, Kurseong, Darjeeling and other areas of the neighbouring district under the banner of Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA) were scheduled to march to Dzongu for conducting pujas there which they considered as the holy spot for the indigenous tribal community.
With an unpleasant long march history of 2008, the proposed pilgrimage had run into rough weather as the Lepchas of Dzongu backed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party coming out in open against the scheduled march by the Darjeeling Lepchas.
Both sides went through the appropriate channels to pursue their agenda. The pilgrims had approached the Union Home Ministry, Tribals Affairs Ministry and All India Adivashi Vikash Parishad for the permission to take a three day pilgrimage to Dzongu, the last bastion of the indigenous Lepchas.
The ILTA has expressed its desire to march from Kalimpong to Dzongu from November 19 to 21. The body has also approached the North district administration for permission to enter the restricted area of Dzongu.
On the other hand, the Lepchas from Dzongu had been repeatedly approaching the North district administration to forbid the proposed pilgrimage. The Dzongu legislature Sonam Gyatso Lepcha has already rejected the pilgrimage terming it has an interference into the developmental activities of Dzongu.
Blinking first, the Lepchas from Darjeeling side ended the impasse at the last hour by calling off their proposed march till further notice citing that no permission was given to them by the North district administration.
Two ITLA representatives today had approached the administration for entry permission to Dzongu where they were told that the administration had decided to give entry permits to 10 ILTA members only.
The limited entry decision of the administration was due representations submitted by Dzongu Lepchas and Panchayats to the DC
(North) TN Kazi. They had demanded that the Darjeeling Lepchas should not be allowed to enter Dzongu as the ITLA march may lead to a law and order situation.
Keeping in view of the local sentiments, the North district administration decided to give entry permits to only 10 ILTA members, it is informed. This setback led to ILTA to shelve off the proposed long march to the holy spot of Dzongu.
The decision to call off the pilgrimage was taken during an emergency meeting conducted late in the evening today by ILTA.
The ILTA spokesperson Ajuk B Tamsang told media that it was decided that the organization would meet the Sikkim government for conducting the pilgrimage in future.
Our representatives were told by the North Sikkim administration that entry permits would be given to only ten persons as the administration feared breakdown in law and order there with repeated protests by the local Lepchas and Panchayats, said the ILTA spokesperson. Such concerns have been given to ILTA in writing, it is informed.
It may be recalled that the maiden long march by ILTA last year had been aborted midway at Dikchu due to politically laced hostilities.

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