Tuesday 21 August 2007

DAY 63

DAY 63

Satyagrahis Dawa Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha have finally called off their indefinite hunger strike. It’s the 63rd day since the duo began. It was a very emotional day for the duo and also the people witnessing the calling off of the indefinite hunger strike at STNM Hospital

The Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling had earlier appealed to ACT yet again, this time from Delhi where he is at present through various press releases. He appealed to ACT to call off the indefinite hunger strike to create a congenial atmosphere for talks.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary, ACT in answer to the appeal from the Chief Minister from Delhi expressed through various press releases has expressed faith in the Chief Minister’s commitment to uphold the sanctity of Dzongu and called of the indefinite hunger strike of Dawa and Tenzing.

However, they have stated that the indefinite relay hunger strike/ Satyagraha at BL House shall continue.

A meeting of the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim and sangha of Dzongu was held earlier today and were resolutions leading to the said decision was unanimously adopted.

The said resolution accepted the direct appeal of the Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling to withdraw the 63 day old indefinite hunger strike and requested Dawa and Tenzing to accept the same.

The said meeting also unanimously resolved to express dissatisfaction with the State Government’s decision to continue with the process of land acquisition in Dzongu despite ACT’s request to suspend all project related activities until a final resolution is arrived at. ACT has also expressed dissatisfaction over the refusal of the State Government to provide proper documents as requested.

The indefinite hunger strike is history in Sikkim and it lasted 63 days. Never before have we seen such a thing!








Much politics has been played by various organizations and individuals over the issue. It has taken a step like this by 2 brave young men to highlight issues of future environmental degradation and social importance to Sikkim. The days ahead will actually tell us whether such sacrifices by are worth something to Sikkim or we continue to live a life of denial or as one acquaintance wrote at the very beginning, ‘like ostriches with our heads buried in the sand’!!!!!

Optimism does seems the end note for all of us and we all hope the near future is better owing to such sacrifices………………………………