Sikkim Govt. appeals to ACT

Gangtok , Sikkim : The Sikkim government has appealed to members of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) to call off their strike and promised to address their concerns and protect the sanctity of the Dzongu area.

Members of the ACT have been on a relay hunger strike here for nearly two months, demanding the scrapping of all the hydroelectric power projects proposed to be set up in the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu in North Sikkim.

In a letter written to the protestors, chief secretary Mr N D Chingapa, who heads the committee constituted to look into the issue, said the state government is committed to protect the sanctity of Dzongu and everything regarding the hydel power projects would be in conformity with old laws.

The letter also promised to address the genuine concerns of the protestors and requested them to immediately end their hunger strike, which entered its 58th day today.

Renewing his invitation to the protestors for a fresh round of talks, Mr Chingapa said calling off the strike was a must so that dialogue between them and the state government
could be held in a congenial atmosphere.

The ACT has, however, said in the past that it is in favour of negotiating directly with the chief minister and not with the committee headed by the chief secretary. Several rounds of talks with the protestors have remained inconclusive.

Source: The Statesman