Kathmandu, December 24:

People from the Gurung community, participating in the National Tamu Political Assembly today demanded a separate ministry for the indigenous nationalities.

In the Kathmandu Declaration issued by the assembly, organised by Tamu Chhonjha Dhi (TCD), Gurung activists including the representatives of ethnic departments of the major political parties demanded University of Indigenous Nationalities for the study of the history, philosophy, languages, culture and traditions of indigenous nationalities besides studying their social and economic status.

The Declaration is signed Dr Rem Bahadur Tamu, by president of TCD, CPN-UML leader Prithvi Subba Gurung, Indra Bahadur Gurung of Nepali Congress (Democratic), Ram Bahadur Gurung of Nepali Congress, Amar Gurung of CPN-Maoist and vice-president of Janamorcha Nepal K B Gurung.

The Declaration has also demanded the government to recognise Lhosar as national festival and declare every Poush 14, 15 and 16 as public holidays.

Meanwhile, the Lamjung Declaration of TCD has demanded the government to declare the area between Kali Gandaki and Budhi Gandaki as Tamuwan Pradesh and has sought recognition of Gurung language as official language.