ACT to continue relay hunger strike

Gangtok , Sikkim : The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) today announced that they will continue with the indefinite relay hunger strike unless their demand for scraping all hydro-electric power projects in Dzongu is fulfilled.

This was in response to the Review Committee formed recently by the State Government, which the ACT termed as “arbitrary” action.

The protestors have expressed their “disappointment” towards the State Government for “not taking any concrete steps to resolve the issue” even after the indefinite hunger strike was withdrawn by Dawa Tshering Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha.

“All the members in the Review Committee, including the State Chief Secretary as the chairman of the Committee is unacceptable,” said Dawa Tshering Lepcha, General Secretary, ACT, addressing a press conference here today.

Mr. Lepcha, who had broken his 63-day indefinite hunger strike on the personal request of the Chief Minister, said that ACT had not been consulted in the formation of the Review Committee or in the selection of Athup Lepcha (ACT president) as a member in the Committee.

“We were not consulted nor given any clue about who was going to be in the Review Committee. The Government has randomly nominated Mr. Athup Lepcha. We will not accept this,” he said.

ACT also rejected the Review Committee terming it as just an “eyewash.” The move has been substantiated by the point that that the review to be made for Panan, Rangyong, Lingzya and Ringpi power projects “does not hold water” as all these areas fall under the Khangchendzonga National Park.

It may be mentioned here that the Review Committee has also not mentioned reviewing the Teesta Stage II and IV.

“With these arbitarial works, it is concluded that the Government does not have any sincere intention of solving the issue,” ACT has said.

Earlier, ACT had demanded for independent and prominent environmentalists as members in the Review Committee and not necessarily people affiliated with the Government.

Apart from other conditions, ACT had also demanded for suspension of all Land Acquisition process till the review was done, which according to ACT was sidelined by the Government.

Sherab Lepcha of ACT said that the implementation of mega hydro projects in Dzongu is straightaway “a violation and the end of Royal Proclamation 3069, 1956, which provides protection to Dzongu and North Sikkim.” “This is the first step to the end of the old laws of Sikkim of which all Sikkimese should be alert about,” he said.

Source: Sikkim Express

Sikkim Opposition disappointed for ACT strike call off

Gangtok / Kalimpong : The Opposition in Sikkim has expressed disappointment at not being consulted by Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) before calling off the indefinite hunger strike.

“We are in no position to say as to what should be done considering the deteriorating health condition of the satyagrahis. Our action will be confined to see that the right as provided by the democracy is not trampled upon. Though we appreciate the cause for which your organisation has come forward we do not wish to become a part of the action of NGOs like yours for political gains,” reads the letter written to ACT president Athup Lepcha.

The five-page letter has been signed by Sikkim Congress chief Nar Bahadur Bhandari, BJP president H.R. Pradhan, CPM state secretariat member P.P. Koirala and general secretary of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Tara Shrestha. It also lists the stand taken by the Opposition during the movement including courting arrests, the burning of effigies and rallies.

ACT members Dawa T. Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso had called off the fast on Tuesday after abstaining from oral intake of food for 63 days. The move came after several appeals by Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling to call off the fast and provide a congenial atmosphere for talks.

ACT is opposing the proposed construction of seven mega hydel power projects in the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu in North Sikkim on religious and environmental grounds. The protests, that have spanned over the last two months, have been actively supported by the opposition parties and some NGOs.

In Kalimpong, 10 Lepcha men today began an indefinite relay hunger strike under the banner of Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA) at Tricone Park to protest the “desecration” of Dzongu.

The ILTA protest has been organised to express solidarity with the ACT movement.

ILTA president L.S. Tamsang said the hunger strike will continue till the hydel projects in Dzongu are scrapped. “We have no objection to hydel power projects. In fact, they are welcome to execute the project elsewhere on the Teesta, but not in Dzongu.”

Explaining the significance of Dzongu, Tamsang said everything Lepcha, from their traditional brew to the marriage ritual, originate there.

“In fact, for us there is no heaven and hell. When we die, our soul returns to Dzongu,” he said.

Source: The Telegraph

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

ACT Hunger Strike 57 Days

Gangtok , Sikkim : On the occasion of Independence Day, eight new Satyagrahis from Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) joined the five main hunger strikers for a 12-hour solidarity fast.

“This fast symbolically recalled the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters, particularly Mahatma Gandhi, to achieve democracy and self rule for ordinary Indians. The freedom fighters fought in a passive and non violent manner so that the poorest and least vocal sections of society could speak up for their rights without fear,” a press release issued by ACT, said.

ACT has reiterated its resolve “to fight against mega hydel projects by power developers in the protected reserve of Dzongu.” It has also reiterated its belief in “Satyagraha as a non violent and passive way of registering its protests and will not respond in kind to any personal attacks made through political speeches and pamphlets.”

The day also marked the 57th day of the hunger strike initiated by ACT against the Hydel Projects in Dzongu.

ACT has also thanked Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, headed by Dil Kumari Bhandari, for writing to the Chief Minister on behalf of the cause espoused by ACT.

The organisation has also thanked the Gorkha Rashtriya Congress for extending its support to the ongoing Satyagraha and SIBLAC for offering to join the hunger strikers on Independence Day.

Meanwhile, Dawa Lepcha has been discharged from the STNM Hospital and is continuing his indefinite hunger strike from the BL House along with the rest of the members on relay hunger strike. Tenzing is still undergoing nasal feeding through Ryle's tube at the Hospital.

Source: Sikkim Express

ACT continues fast in Sikkim

Gangtok , Sikkim : Members of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) continued their hunger strike as the government ultimatum ended at mid-day today.

In a letter to the ACT president yesterday, Sikkim chief secretary N. Chingapa had asked the protesters to withdraw their fast within 24 hours or face “action as per law”.

It was an intense day at B.L. House on Sonam Gyatso Marg — the site for the relay fast — where three monks and six others including three women continued their hunger strike. The site of the fast was surrounded by politicians cutting across party lines, journalists, intelligence personnel and ACT supporters, waiting for the “action” to take place. Two ACT members, Dawa T. Lepcha and Tenzing Lepcha, continued their fast for the 38th day today at Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital.

Two minutes downhill from B.L. House, at Sadar police station, a platoon of Sikkim Armed Police stood prepared in combat fatigues and protection gear. Top district police officials had also assembled at the police station. However, the orders never came. No action was taken till late in the evening.

ACT members submitted a memorandum to Sikkim Governor V. Rama Rao in the afternoon, seeking his intervention. Following Chingapa’s ultimatum, Opposition leaders came together at Himalchuli here and passed a resolution for the formation of a joint action committee to “save democracy in Sikkim”.

In Kalimpong, GNLF branch president Dawa Pakhrin today appealed to the Sikkim government to ensure that the sanctity of Dzongu, which is considered holy by the Lepchas, is preserved.

Source: The Telegraph