Gangtok, March 23: Sikkim Sangram Parishad chief Nar Bahadur Bhandari has backed the demand for the ouster of additional advocate general, N.B. Khatiwada, criticised for his remarks about the two ethnic groups in the state.

The former chief minister, in a press release issued yesterday, said the remarks, questioning origins of the Bhutias and Lepchas, were “unbecoming” of Khatiwada, one of the highest legal officials in the state.

In an affidavit, taken out in connection with the raging controversy over the electoral status of the communities, Khatiwada called them outsiders. The law officer said the ethnic groups were “not original inhabitants of Sikkim.”

“Khatiwada, along with the advocate general, was acting against the interest of the Bhutias and the Lepchas and are determined to do away with the old land laws protected under Article 371(f) of the Constitution,” said Bhandari, now the lone Opposition member.

“The two, appointed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front government should immediately resign to uphold the dignity of their high offices.”

He also accused Khatiwada of trying to distort history by his statements directed at the two communities.

A few days ago, the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee raised the same demand stating that Khatiwada’s “statement” in the court affidavit had hurt the sentiments of the two ethnic communities and caused communal tension in the state.