KATHMANDU, June 11: Kulung and Mewahang communities who reside in 22 districts including 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 called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday with a request for the government facilitation to recognize them as indigenous nationalities.

In response, the head of the government pledged to take initiatives officially to enlist the groups as indigenous nationalities and other deserving groups who are not included in the list of indigenous nationalities. The 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 communities.

The population of Kulung people who live in Silichong of Sankhuwasabha, Shalpa Silicho of Bhojpur, Mahakuluung of Solukhumbu, Devigaun of Sunsari stands at 150,000.

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

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