Sikkim Solidarity Forum for Gorkhaland welcomes Resolution, claims credit

GANGTOK, 30 March: The Sikkim Solidarity Forum for Gorkhaland [SSFG] has welcomed the Resolution passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly during the Budget Session yesterday, and also took the opportunity to claim it as their “achievement”, contending that it was their ‘stand’ on the issue which had brought about a positive turn for the people of the Darjeeling Hills in Sikkim.
“We stood by our responsibility towards our neighbours which is what was seen as convincing enough for the people in power in Sikkim to act accordingly,” claimed CC Shangderpa, Convener, SSFG, while addressing a press conference today.

The Convenor was accompanied by the Forum’s general secretary, Rudra Khatiwara and publicity secretary, Padam Sharma.
While explaining that the adoption of the Resolution was ‘historic’ and had ‘facilitated’ the programmes of the Forum to move forward, Ms. Shangderpa said that the state government should now make a representation to the Centre on the Gorkhaland demand.
“Now the government has the responsibility to take the demand to the Centre and make a 34-member delegation of it MLAs and MPs for Delhi,” she suggested.
She claimed that the Forum, since its formation on 23 February last month, had made several efforts to get official recognition on the Gorkhaland movement in Sikkim.
She also suggested that the Local Protection Act Bill be passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly at the earliest and the environmental cess on tourists be imposed with immediate effect.
“We have created a positive image for the state and its people in the neighbouring hills and they have acknowledged our efforts by personally calling us,” she contended further.