Non-Sikkimese plains people and Gorkhas of Indian origin from neighbouring Darjeeling hills, who had 'settled' permanently in Sikkim, have demanded 'equal' representation in Sikkim Assembly.

In a memorandum, submitted to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her maiden visit to the Himalayan State, the plainsmen and Gorkhas of Indian origin have urged Mrs. Gandhi to ensure that fundamental rights of 'bona fide' Indian citizens were protected in Sikkim, the 22nd State of the Indian Union.

The memorandum said that plainsmen and Gorkhas of Indian origin, who had been residing in Sikkim since the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom was a 'British protectorate' and had been 'invited' by the then rulers of the late Chogyal of the Namgyal dynasty to 'do' business. Similarly, Gorkhas from neighbouring Darjeeling hills in West Bengal were 'appointed' for 'professional' jobs in the Sikkim Durbar and administrative set-up.

'We the old-timers were even allowed to purchase land and own property in the kingdom', the memorandum said, citing examples of the first banking firm being set up by Messrs Jethmul Bhoraj, who were appointed bankers for the erstwhile Chogyal Government in 1890. The firm continued to do so till it was 'incorporated' as the State Bank of Sikkim in 1968, the memorandum added saying the non-Sikkimese had also nominated councillors in the then Sikkim Assembly in the erstwhile kingdom.

The memorandum signed by 25 members of the plainsmen and Gorkhas of Indian origin said, 'Being permanent residents of the State which merged with the Indian Union in 1975 and having property and assets within Sikkim, we demand for fundamental rights to be given to us as Indian citizens.'