Lepchas against power project in Sikkim held

Affected Citizens of Teesta activists were arrested at Dzongu in North Sikkim for allegedly damaging machinery and equipment of a firm officially engaged to set up a hydro electricity power project in the area. Mostly made up of people from the Lepcha community, the ACT is opposed to power projects in North Sikkim, as the Lepchas consider the land sacred.

According to Ms Mayalmit Lepcha, who is part of the ACT team that has mounted a relay hunger strike opposing the project, three of the arrested are monks and seven are women. The arrests were made following an FIR lodged by Mr Shekhar Gupta, general manager of Himgari Hydro Energy Pvt. Ltd., that has been entrusted with the responsibility of setting up the power project, against Mr Dawa Tshering Lepcha and other ACT members. MORE...

ACT condemns arrest of 43 of its activists in Sikkim

The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), an apolitical organization, on Sunday demanded unconditional release of its 43 activists, who were arrested in connection with yesterday’s vandalism at the under-construction 280 MW Panan hydel project site.

It also reiterated its demand for scrapping of all hydel projects in Dzongu region of North District, a habitat of the indigenous Lepcha people, in view of the potential damage to the fragile ecology of the mountainous landscape and in deference to religious and cultural sensibilities of the Lepcha people, who revere mountains as their deities, the ACT Chief Coordinator Tseten Lepcha said here. MORE...

Strike in Sikkim against power projects enters 577th day

The ongoing relay hunger strike by Affected Citizens of Teesta against the proposed mega hydel power projects in North Sikkim reached its 577th day on Friday. The longest protest in the history of Sikkim has not received a response from the State Government.

Mr Dawa Lepcha General Secretary of Affected Citizens of Teesta told reporters that the protest is being held to protect the indigenous Lepchas and the fragile bio-diversity of Dzongu from the mega hydel power projects. MORE...

Teesta protesters in hospital

Gangtok, March 19: Members of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), who are on saline drips, said the protest against hydel power projects would continue even from hospital beds.

The organisation is spearheading an agitation against the Sikkim government’s move to construct hydroelectric plants in North Sikkim’s Dzongu, a Lepcha reserve.

ACT general secretary Dawa Lepcha and members Tenzing Gyatso and Gaeboo Lepcha were admitted to Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital here four days ago and are being administered saline drips.

The fast entered the 10th day today.

“It is one last battle we are fighting and we are prepared for whatever happens. It’s a do-or-die situation,” Dawa, who developed complications in his kidney function, told The Telegraph from his bed.

Tenzing, whose frail body suffered cramps and dizziness, also appeared determined. “I will continue with the fast whatever may come, even at the risk of losing my life,” he said.

Dawa and Tenzing had earlier resorted to an indefinite fast for 63 days for the same cause. They had given it up following a public appeal from Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling.

The two ACT members had started the second phase of protest on March 10 along with Ongchuk Lepcha when “no concrete” assurance had come from the Chamling government on their demand to scrap the hydel projects. The ACT had rejected a review commission appointed by the state.

Ongchuk, who had earlier been admitted to the hospital, is back at BL House, the venue of the fast, where he has been joined by Tashi Namgyal Lepcha. A doctor from the STNM hospital and officials from the East district administration have been visiting the protesters regularly.

According to Dawa, Dzongu residents and members of the Lepcha community keep joining the protest almost everyday under a “BL House Bharo (Fill BL House)” campaign.

The ACT has also planned to take out a rally in Gangtok soon to drum up support.

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