SIBLAC supports Darj Lepchas in demand for better treatment

GANGTOK, 08 April: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] has called on leaders of political parties in the Assembly elections fray in West Bengal to “ensure” that after the elections are over, they will “endeavour necessary arrangements in ensuring that the indigenous minority Bhutia and the Lepcha languages are incorporated in the educational curriculum of the State”.
SIBLAC’s appeal comes in the wake of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association of the Darjeeling hills announcing a boycott of the polls to protest their continued sidelining from all developmental and educational initiatives in West Bengal.

SIBLAC has conveyed that it stands by and supports the “cause as already espoused by the indigenous Lepchas of the Darjeeling District Hills” and has called upon all to support the movement.
The organisation has also called on the State Government here to “influence its counterpart in Kolkata that these languages are incorporated in the educational curriculum of the West Bengal State”.
A SIBLAC press release issued by its convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia adds, “It is further informed here that the problems being faced by these indigenous communities of the Hills as regard recruitment to Indian Army, etc have already been brought to the notice of the Indian Government by this organisation who have in turned, assured it of a amicable resolution to the interest of these Hill communities.”