Sikkim: Villagers of JN Road thank MP Dorjee Tshering Lepcha for standing by their struggles
The MP, while addressing the gathering, shared details of the efforts his office has made so far.
LOCAL
Villagers from the Gnathang and Kyangnosla Gram Panchayat Units (GPU) came together at Lumsay, 5th Mile, to meet Rajya Sabha MP Shri Dorjee Tshering Lepcha at his residence. The group, led by Panchayat members had come not with demands, but with gratitude to thank the MP for being a strong voice for their long-standing concerns in the Parliament.
These villagers, hailing from areas spread across the J.N. Road, including Zuluk and regions as far down as the 3rd Mile, carry a deep connection to the land they live on. Their ancestors served the nation with bravery during times of war and peace, guarding the sensitive Indo-Tibetan border. Over the generations, they have continued this legacy tending livestock, farming in difficult terrains, protecting the fragile mountain ecosystem and preserving ancient knowledge of medicinal plants that grow in the high-altitude forests of Sikkim.
For years now, the people of J.N. Road have felt they’ve been living in uncertainty, with no permanent land rights. Their homes, fields, and livestock pens all exist under the constant worry of eviction or legal complications, because they do not have official settlement recognition. This, they believe, is unfair to those who have lived here for generations and have sacrificed so much for the nation.
MP Dorjee Tshering Lepcha has raised this issue several times in the Rajya Sabha. He has spoken about how these villagers should be granted permanent settlement rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, or another suitable law. He believes that such recognition would not only honour the people’s sacrifices but also help India strengthen its border security in the region. In recent times, with growing infrastructure on the other side of the border, the need to support people living in such crucial areas has become even more urgent.
During the meeting, the villagers clapped and they thanked the MP for taking up their cause. “We feel seen and heard. His words in Parliament gave us hope,” one elderly resident from Zuluk said.
The MP, while addressing the gathering, shared details of the efforts his office has made so far. He urged everyone present to also fulfil their duties as citizens to respect the law, support the government’s work and stay united as a community. He also appreciated the way the people of the GPU have carried forward their traditions while adapting to modern needs.
Pema Sherpa, President of the Panchayat, gave a short talk on the development works currently going on in the area. She mentioned the Vibrant Village Initiatives, which aim to bring better roads, electricity, healthcare, and education to border villages. She also recalled the recent visit of the Governor of Sikkim to the region, calling it a positive step in bringing attention to their needs.
Dorjee Tshering Lepcha assured everyone that he will continue to follow up on their concerns. “I will not stop until we find a positive and fair solution,” he said.