KEYUNG (LAHAUL.SPITI): Tribals of this mountainous region bordering Tiber and Leh-adak U&K) living in difficult socio-physical conditions are asking for autonomy to meet their political and economic aspirations.
Ceering Dorje a retired offices and a local Congress leader is a sole conceiver of the idea or autonomy to all tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh to protest their distinctive cultural heritage and accelerate a uniform process of development.
Dorje has been touring the district and other adjoining areas to propagate the idea of autonomy. The entire population of the district has supported me he says.
Dorje had also raised the issue with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh when he visited Keylong recently speaking from the name dais the Congress leader suggested for the formation of a tribal area development council within the constitutional framework. This council should be on the pattern of Jharkhand land with full separate political and administrative setup. he recommended
When Dorje made his point he sought the support of three MLAs from tribal areas Barmaur Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur to mount pressure on the new Congress government.
Independent MLA from Barmaur-Pangi Thakur Singh appreciated Dorje for raising the demand. I will raise this issue within and outside the state legislative Assembly Thakur Singh said
Two Congress MLAs Phung Chug Rai and Dev Raj Negi are also likely to support the demand claims Dorje
The tribals of Keylong had brought about a green revolution in the area by converting the barren hills into lush-green fields.
While cultivation of off-seasonal vegetables had improved socioeconomic conditions of many families hops a foreign exchange earner is all set to bring another economic revolution
However a major section of the tribal population lives in difficult conditions. The areas remain Closed for six to eight months because of snowfall and closure of the Rohtang Pass. Spiti a subdivision of Lahaul-Spiti had its own problems and there was no direct link to KazaSpitis headquarters from Keylong.
Dorje who is working with a missionary zeal confidently hopes he will succeed one day. After snow season is over I will tour Pangi and other left-out villages of Lahaul-Spiti he said.
Virbhadra Singh however did not respond to the demand. It is not essential for me to react to every demand Chief Minister said
Article extracted from this publication >> January 21, 1994
