Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Sikkim is pushing back against proposed border shifts in ongoing Gorkha political negotiations. Tseten Tashi Bhutia, a former Sikkim minister and SIBLAC convenor, filed a formal objection with the Centre's interlocutor, Pankaj Kumar Singh. The dispute centers on a potential 4th Option pathway that might include contiguous areas from neighboring states in a permanent political solution for the Gorkha issue.
Bhutia insists Sikkim's territorial integrity and constitutional safeguards under Article 371F remain non-negotiable. He submitted the notice after the state was mentioned during federal consultations regarding the Darjeeling hills, Kalimpong, the Terai, and the Dooars. The Centre tasked the former IPS officer, Singh, to lead these talks after an August stakeholder meeting established a committee to find a constitutional settlement.
The debate involves proposals ranging from increased autonomy to full statehood. Bhutia stated he does not oppose the aspirations of others but insists on protecting his own state's legal standing. He warned against misinformation and political actors who might exploit public sentiment to fuel regional divisions. He called for transparency, due process, and a move away from unnecessary arrests or hostility.
"Darjeeling can pursue its democratic aspirations. Sikkim can protect its constitutional rights," Bhutia said. He argued that these two goals should not force people from the different regions into conflict.
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