Tribal body plea

TT, Darjeeling, Dec. 23: The Darjeeling District Welfare Tribal Association has demanded a development board to look into the interest of all tribal groups in the hills. The demand comes at a time various hill communities are demanding boards. 

M.S. Bomzom, general secretary of the tribal association, today said: “The Darjeeling District Welfare Tribal Association, that was formed in 1996, has decided that instead of demanding separate boards for different tribal communities, we would seek a tribal development board so that the interests of all tribal communities are looked after.” It is the first time that the association is demanding a body for tribals. 

“The state should be more willing to form one tribal development board instead of different boards. If the state gives separate boards we would have no problems,” said Bomzom. 

The hill tribal community includes Tamang, Sherpas, Limbus, Bhutia and others. 

The STs comprises 33.72 per cent of the hill population. The tribal association has also decided to hold a rally in Darjeeling on December 26.