Sikkim’s Rajya Sabha MP, DT Lepcha, recently raised a critical demand in Parliament for granting permanent settlement rights to the residents of Jawaharlal Nehru Road (J.N. Road), which stretches from 3rd Mile to Zuluk, along the Indo-Tibetan Border in East Sikkim.
These residents are the descendants of laborers who were settled in 1952 for the construction of the road, formerly known as the Old Silk Road and Gangtok-Nathula Border Road. Over the years, they have played an essential role in India’s national defense and have made significant contributions to the state’s economy, particularly in the fields of tourism and cultural exchange.
These residents have a long history of supporting national security, most notably during the 1962 India-China conflict. They provided crucial logistical support and intelligence during the Nathu-La and Cho-La skirmishes, and their deep knowledge of the terrain remains an asset to India’s defense operations in the strategically important Nathula region. Their loyalty was also evident during the 2017 Doklam standoff, where they supported security operations.
However, despite their vital contributions, these residents live on forest land without legal ownership rights, which has led to ongoing identity challenges. MP DT Lepcha emphasized the urgent need to grant them permanent settlement rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, or another suitable legal framework. He argued that recognizing their rights would honor their sacrifices and contributions, as well as strengthen India’s defense infrastructure in the region, particularly given the growing developments along the border.
