Lepcha school plea

TT;RAJEEV RAVIDAS Kalimpong, Nov. 17: Bimal Gurung today said the Lepcha language would not be taught in the hill primary schools, one of chief minister’s promises to the community during her visit in September. Addressing a public meeting at the Mela Grounds in Kalimpong today, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief said school education was a subject under the GTA and there should be “no intervention in the functioning” of the hill body. Gurung’s comment has come at a juncture when the Morcha, left without options, has had to step on the back foot on its agitation, and is poised to hold bipartite and tripartite talks with the state and the Centre on November 20 and 21. “The Lepcha language will not be introduced in schools. If the Lepcha language is taught, other languages like Tamang, Sherpa, Tibetan, Rai and Gurung would also have to be taught,” Gurung said. “This (school education) is under the GTA. We want no intervention in the functioning of the GTA. It should be allowed to function smoothly.”