Sikkim is once again preparing to reiterate its demand of 'Peace Bonus' for remaining 'free from insurgency or political disturbances.
GANGTOK: Sikkim is once again preparing to reiterate its demand of 'Peace Bonus' for remaining 'free from insurgency or political disturbances. However, the Chief Minister Mr Pawan Chamling himself agrees, getting this approved by the centre is not going to be an easy task.
"We are making this rightful claim as reward for our exemplary efforts to maintain peace and tranquility at a time when other states, especially those in North east region, are faced with insurgency and terrorism related problems. We are going to make this issue a priority," Mr Chamling told ET.
The root cause for this demand lies in the monetary incentive given as 'peace bonus' to other North eastern state Mizoram, for over a decade now, for being a peaceful state. In addition to the direct monitory favour, Mizoram was also given a Thermal Power Project (23 MW) at Bairabi as a peace reward.
"If Mizoram gets it, why not Sikkim? We should get double than what Mizoram has received so far," said Mr Chamling.
Sikkim first made the demand for Rs 1000 crore Peace bonus in 2001. But the then Home Minster Mr L K Advani turned it down saying, "The case of Sikkim is not comparable with that of Mizoram. Peace bonus was given to Mizoram after taking into account the fact that the state had faced over two decades of militancy and very little development had taken place in the state during the period." That poured water on Sikkim's demand.
However, West Bengal's Darjeeling hills, adjoining to Sikkim has gone under wildfire of political chaos on the demand of separate statehood under a strong ethnic sentiment since 2007. Neither the erstwhile Left Front government nor present TMC ruled Government could cool it down. But "Sikkim, despite being socially or geographically attached to Darjeeling hills, remained free from this kind of chaos. That might have encouraged it to demand for peace bonus afresh," said political experts.
However,it is becoming evident that new political or ethnic conflicts are brewing up even in Sikkim and it won't take long before becoming clearly visible. Naturally, "This is the high time for Mr. Chamling to place his demand. Otherwise it may become a never ever game," they said.
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