BLPF convention marches to Ravangla

RAVANGLA, 25 Jan: The Bhutia Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF) reached Ravangla, South Sikkim, today with its convention for South and West districts. Politicians and former bureaucrats from the Bhutia and Lepcha communities attended this convention while, as expected, the BL and Sangha MLAs stayed away.
The meeting highlighted various agendas and the resolution passed by the forum.  Social, political, religious and economic condition of the BL community in Sikkim were also discussed.
Addressing the meeting, the BLPF president Phigu Tsh Bhutia reiterated that BLPF was an apolitical organization and does not have any political agenda. He informed that the organization has been formed for the upliftment of BL community and to secure their future.
Different governments in the state have diluted the rights of the two communities, he contended.
Stating that the BLPF will work to secure the future of Sikkimese people, Mr. Bhutia appealed to all from the Bhutia, Lepcha, Nepali and business communities to unite and stop those who work against the interests of Sikkim’s future. BLPF had invited BL MLAs and Sangha MLA for the meeting but they have misunderstood our organization as a political one, he said.
He also informed about the resolution passed by the BLPF during the state-level convention held last year.
SIBLAC president, Tseten Tashi Bhutia, in his address highlighted the resolutions passed by the BLPF and urged all communities of the state to support these resolutions.
He also condemned the state government policy to bring power projects in Sikkim which he said has threatened the sacred rivers and mountains of Sikkim.
The meeting was also addressed by SKM’s Namkha Gyaltsen [a former Sangha MLA], Chewang Lepcha and other representatives from BL community while the meeting was also attended by Advisor/ spokesperson BLPF Kesang Dorjee and other members from SIBLAC and NASBO.