GUWAHATI: Gorkha civil society organisations of Assam have reiterated that the Gorkhas of the state should be recognised as an indigenous community to ensure protection of their constitutional and land rights.
In this context, a joint representation by the CSOs, including Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha, was made to the high-level committee formed by the Union ministry of home affairs for Clause 6 implementation to categorise Gorkhas as indigenous and ensure that the rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution along with land rights are protected.
The committee had on Tuesday submitted the final report to the chief minister here before the same was handed over to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha it may be mentioned had held its 20th National Council Meet here recently where it had resolved to push for recognition as an indigenous community of Assam.
Addressing reporters here on Wednesday, newly elected president of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha, Assam, Prakash Dahal said, “Since the Gorkhas don’t have a homeland in India, we must be recognised as an indigenous community across the country so that our constitutional rights including land rights are protected everywhere.”’
The national council meet also called on Centre and the West Bengal government to bring an early resolution to the long pending demand of Gorkhaland with a permanent political solution.