Now, Tamang people demand separate council...STRONG PITCH The call for the body echoed at a solidarity rally in Kalimpong

Photos: Samten Kabo

Amitava Banerjee, THT, 30 November 2013: On the heels of the Lepchas, the Tamang community took out a Tamang People’s Solidarity Rally in Kalimpong on Saturday in support of the ‘state government’s development initiative in the region’ and in demand of the creation of a Tamang Development Council.

Lepchas, an indigenous tribe of Darjeeling and surrounding areas, had been agitating for an administrative setup for the all -round development of the community.

On September 2, 2011, chief minister Mamata Banerjee formally announced the setting up of an autonomous administrative board for the Lepchas.

The Mayal Lyang Lepcha Development Board under the backward class development department saw the light of day on September 3, 2012.

The Tamang community has since been demanding a similar development council. The Tamang Youth Association (TYA) had given a representation to Banerjee during her visit to Darjeeling on October 24 to press for the demand. The chief minister had assured them all help and support in facilitating the creation of the TDC.

However, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has criticised the creation of development councils for different communities and termed the move as a divide and rule policy of the state government.

They have further labeled it as an infringement on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration’s powers and functions as development of the entire Darjeeling Hills rests on the GTA.

Adding more muscle to the demand for a TDC, the Tamang Youth Association (TYC- which is spearheading the movement for a separate council) took out a rally in Kalimpong on Saturday. “Hundreds turned out in support of the state government’s development initiatives in this region and in demand of the creation of the TDC. The council will ensure the all round development of the Tamang community residing in Bengal, thereby helping integration of the community in the national mainstream,” Amit Tamang, general secretary, TYA, Kalimpong Sub-division Committee.

According to the TYA, the Tamang community is the single largest tribal community in the Kalimpong sub-division. “Despite having a unique culture, tradition and language, we have had no support from the previous government to develop and preserve our identity and heritage. We want to preserve, protect and promote our unique culture, traditions, language and heritage. We also want socio-economic development. We want to manage our own affairs, which is only possible through the TDC,” Tamang said.

The TYA has also demanded the introduction of Tamang language in government schools in West Bengal. Earlier, Mamata Banerjee had said that she would attend a Tamang convention in Mirik in January. Political observers feel that she could moot a proposal for a development body for the community. Even the Limbu community is in queue for a development body.