DAY 37......govt gives 24 hrs time to call of the indefinite hunger strike or else it shall be termed illegal and necessary action taken as per law

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GOVT OF SIKKIM

For arriving at an amicable settlement to the ongoing hunger strike called by the members of ACT a series of meetings had been held by the officials of the Government with their representatives during the past one month. On the direction of the Hon'ble Chief Minister further negotiations were held with the members of the ACT and on their request for a review of the various aspects of the hydro electric projects, the Government communicated its decision to set up a committee to examine their request and give its report within a month.

However, at the meeting held on 25th July, 2007 the members of ACT demanded that the committee be headed by a person acceptable to them and that half the members should be from ACT. They would be able to call off the hunger strike only when the notification for such a committee was issued by the Government.

3. The State Government stand was that the committee should be comprised of all sections of the people of Djongu and not only of ACT so that the issues could be examined appropriately and a just and fair decision arrived at in public interest.

4. The Chief Secretary once again appealed to the members of the ACT to accept the stand of the Government and call off their hunger strike so that the Government can take further necessary action at the earliest.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY'S LETTER No. 77/SKM/CS/2007 DATED July 26, 2007 TO ACT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY
GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM
GANGTOK

No. 77/SKM/CS/2007 July 26, 2007

The President
Affected Citizens of Sikkim @ACT,
Gangtok.

Sir,

The State Government is in receipt of your letter dated 25th July, 2007 along with the resolutions adopted by you.

2. As already informed at the meeting on 25.7.2007 at Samman Bhawan any committee to be set up by the State Government has to comprise of all sections of the people of the Dzongu and not only of ACT so that the issues are examined appropriately and a just and fair decision arrived at in public interest.

3. The State Government has also viewed with extreme concern the shouting of slogans just outside the gates of Samman Bhawan by one of your representative of causing "Bomb Blasts" in Sikkim as the demands were not being met. In such circumstances there cannot be any negotiations or a proper meeting unless your organization is rid of such elements and the influence of vested interests.

4. The State Government is also in receipt of a notice from the Central Empowered Committee set up by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Examination of the same has revealed that ACT have already filed a case relating to the hydel electric project before the appropriate authority for just relief. As the case is already before a judicial authority the ACT should clarify as to what reliefs are expected from the State Government otherwise it appears that the ACT have a lack of faith in the judicial system and the rule of law.

5. The State Government has also taken note of your letter head indicating your organization to be "AFFECTED CITIZEN OF SlKKIM." in place of AFFECTED CITIZEN OF TEESTA"as you have claimed earlier. This, combined with the unlawful blockade of Sikkim on the only highway connecting the State to the rest of the country organized with the help of outside forces, and your representative indicating that "Bomb Blasts" would be caused, makes the Government believe your organization has since come to be infiltrated by anti-social elements and is now under the influence of vested interests and outside forces that are inimical to the peace and tranquility prevailing in the State.

6. Under the circumstances indicated above it is doubtful if any fruitful decision would result from further meetings. On your own admission vide your letter dated 21st July, 2007, " two desperate Lepcha youth members of ACT are battling for life" at the STNM Hospital. The State Government would like to make it clear that in case anything happens to the said youth the responsibility for same shall rest squarely upon the ACT leadership. The State Government has had a number of meetings with members of the ACT and addressed your genuine concerns. Sufficient opportunities have been given to you to present your case but there does not seem to have an honest intention on your part to resolve the issues.

7. The State Government would like to sincerely appeal to the genuine members of the ACT to faithfully introspect on the ongoing strike and the likelihood of it being used by anti-national and anti­State forces to serve their vested interests. It is, therefore, once again requested that the hunger strike be called off in public interest within twenty four hours from the time of receipt of this letter, failing which the State Government would have no alternative but to take necessary action as per law.

Yours faithfully

sd/-
N.D.Chingapa
Chief Secretary

DEEPTI FROM BOMBAY SAYS

Hi,

Im from Bombay, a city I believe which is too greedy and thinks it deserves much more than it has on the basis of the 'tax money' that it contributes to India. Its apathy is misunderstood as resilience.

I feel guilty that I am one of the middle class Indians whose demands for a 'better' lifestyle endangers the life of our fellow Indians and humans. Whether its turning a blind eye to the farmer suicides in our own state or the building of dams in our own country, our indifference is going to catch up with us.

We only look towards the west trying to ape them and wish for all that the advertising industry promises us.

I have been to sikkim in 2000, and I consider that one of my most beautiful memories and was astonished with sense of humour there. everyone shared a joke everyone laughed..it was so different from me who is always complaining and whining for more. I remmember being struck by what can be construed as very silly remark ( which I hope will not be misunderstood)that people in sikkim have small eyes because they are forever smiling!

seeing the kanchanjunga in the morning in pelling is definitely one of the most beautiful sights!watching the stars in the sky blend with the home lights in the mountains at night diminishing the boundaries between heavens and earth made me feel like I was in paradise.

And the drive from Siliguri to Gangtok along the Teesta made me realise that maybe its better to live next to a river than the ocean..a river thats so accomodating!The land , the beauty of it has shaped the people.

We need to educate ourselves to understand what we get as a result does not justify the means at all.We should live with guilt for turning a blind eye to this atrocity.Youth from sikkim are brave and humane.We cannot rape the land and shakle it with dams. I have always wanted to be back to sikkim and enjoy the same moutnatins, river and sky and I do hope this is possible. Shame on our goverment! shame on us for letting dams even be a possibility today!Heartfelt support to all the satyagrahis!