DAY 46Today is the 46 day of the indefinite hunger strike. Thankfully, informal communication between the two sides continue with ACT writing to the State Government on 2nd August I the latest instance.This letter is in response to a communiqué issued to them by the State Government on 31st July.
Though details of these letters are not available, it does seem that both sides are demonstrating a welcome amount of flexibility.The State Government in its note to ACT has reiterated its commitment to uphold the sanctity of Dzongu and the special status enshrined by Article 371 F of the Constitution of India. It also intimates that the Review Committee to be set up would have a time-bound tenure.The letter also emphasizes that all officials of the State Government as well as the public of Sikkim are concerned for the hunger strikers and adds that ACT should also recognize the need to uphold the rule of the law.
Urging ACT to call of the hunger strike in the larger interest of the state, the state government communication adds that should anything untoward happen to the two indefinite hunger strikers, the blame would fall on ACT.Welcoming the move of the government to constitute a time-bound Review Committee which would have to submit its report within 30 days, ACT in tits response dated 02nd August, reminds the government that the Committee need to be notified first. It also urges the government to notify the Committee as soon as possible following which the hunger strike would be withdrawn.
In a letter, ACT has also clarified that the demand that 50% of the members of the Committee be nominated by ACT was actually a demand that 50% of the members be locals of Dzongu as it desires adequate local representation in the Committee. It has further stated that the Review Committee should have at least 3 eminent persons of National or International Standing.ACT also stated that their letter to the Government dated 25th July be in consideration of the government while formulating its decisions in the matter.
There is a talk of unofficial communication happening between the two sides and that the two sides will be going to the negotiating table at the earliest. It is a good sign and people of Sikkim and unconcerned citizens over the world welcome.
Young Supporters of ACT at STNM hospital with Dawa and Tenzing
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4 comments:
Dear ACT
please let the PRIMARY demand of Scrapping all Hydel projects in Dzongu Area be the main demand. only then the scantity of Dzongu will remain. Otherwise pourpose of the Hunger Strike will be fruitless and invain.
We stand in solidarity.
www.sanhati.com
Mr. Dahal has officially stated that the website "weeping Sikkim" has damaged the reputation of the state of Sikkim to the outside world.
Does he know about "freedom of expression"? ..and they call themselves "Democratic" . This implies that the government is comitted to supress facts within Sikkim, project a false sense of reputation of Sikkim to the outside world. Thats a fancy.
I still do not feel the Government is taking this issue seriously.
And ...this not just about The Lepchas, it largely should be a concern for every Sikkimese equally...if you love Sikkim, ..if you consider Sikkim your home...
Sikkimese people...ACT today...before it is too late.
Dear brother Citizen,
"Democracy gives us the right to freedom of expression" and yes that the way it should be done.
Going to the point, lets not compromise for a monetary cause these are only temporary but lets fight to scrap all such projects that are underway in Sikkim.Our cause for this is not merely about culture and tradition , its also all about our environment and our ecology. We are already witnessing the NHPC power project of Legship in West Sikkim.What has it made of that place its all live to us .
Ask the people out there how much are they benefiting. Are we having our own local civil engineers and accountants out there. By the time the NHPC power house is handed over to us the people of Sikkim it will be in shambles like the ones of the state government .Remember the earthquake that almost damaged our Tashiding Monastery . Has the cause of it been clarified to the people.This is yet to be disclosed...
It is also being known that there is another project underway to be done by GAMMON INDIA LTD in West Sikkim in a place called RIMBI.Here there is a proposal to make a tunnel and divert the water to some other place. Now , the question is .. is this tunnel save...not exactly. What about the two power houses that is lying dormant right now and where already crores is being spent for its petty repairs ?? Another factor is that this river flows towards the NHPC hydel power house at Legship. So, now don't you think that the output of the NHPC power house will be reduced... this is how a lay man reasons out.
Another thing is how costly is electricity in Sikkim compared to our neighboring states. With all these inflated price it seems better to buy current from outside. Why all these destruction of nature.
The C.M. should should listen to his peoples voice and interact with them himself and not the Chief Secretary ... Here its the janta(peoples) voice no matter from what sphere of life they are from...theres no politics involved. If the CM's janta is being hurt he should be concerned .
Remember that the world is looking at and knowing everything as to what is happening here in Sikkim.
"FINAL APPEAL TO OUR SIKKIMESE OFFICERS"
Sirs/Madams,
Its indded our sincere request to you all to now stop accepting IAS/IPS & IFS for personal vested interest. Sikkim no doubt has been merged with India but let us not submerge it ...please.
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