Kulung, Mewahang demand recognition as indigenous nationalities

KATHMANDU, June 11: Kulung and Mewahang communities who reside in 22 districts including in Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Solukhumbu and Sunsari have demanded the State recognize them as indigenous nationalities.     

A delegation led by House of Representatives (HoR) member from Sankhuwasabha, Deepak Khadka and comprising officials of Kirat Kulung Utthan Samiti and Mewahang Central Committee, and people's representatives from respective areas today called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' with a request for the government facilitation to recognize them as indigenous nationalities people. 

In response, the head of the government pledged to take initiation from the official level to enlist the groups as the indigenous nationalities and other deserving groups who are missing on the list of indigenous nationalities. National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities Act, 2058 (2002) identifies 59 (now 60 with the latest incorporation of Ranatharu in the list) ethnic communities as indigenous nationalities, but not Kulung and Mewahang. 

The population of Kulung who reside at Silichong of Sankhuwasabha, Shalpa Silicho of Bhojpur, Mahakuluung of Solukhumbu, and Devigaun of Sunsari is 150,000. 

Despite frequent calls for incorporating Kulung and Mewahang in the list of indigenous nationalities, the demand is yet to get addressed.