A peaceful silent show of protest marked the visit of Review Committee to the Panan Project area on the 5th of Feburary 2008 in Dzongu. The placards held by the protestors not only mentioned protest against implementation of Projects in Dzongu but also pleaded with the Review Committee help save Dzongu and have the moral courage to take an honest and correct decision.
The Public of Dzongu area made a presentation and submitted the same to Review Committee.
The Review Committee was represented by three members;the Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary, Power and Energy Department and the Secretary, Forest and Environment & Wildlife Department. The District Collector (North District) and the General Manager of Sikkim Power Development Corporation were also present along with various other other officials.
The Lamas in their turn also made their representation on religious aspects of the negative impacts and fallouts in the event of the implementation of various hydel projects in and around Dzongu. They presented “Lhapsang Petcha” the holy text that contains all the religious name of holy places and deities. However the committee could not take the holy texts with them. The Lamas informed the Committee that 12 monasteries including Tholung and Lingthem monastery which are more than 200 years old with priceless relics and holy texts that would be affected by the Hydel Projects.
Apart from this Gyatso Lepcha of CLOS on behalf of Dzongu youths expressed frustation among youth regarding the implementation of the Hydel Projects in Dzongu. He requested a positive review to be taken with the intention to stop the implementation of Hydel projects in and around Dzongu.
However, the presence of officers from Himagiri Pvt Ltd, one of the hydel developers in Dzongu, accompanying the Review Committee have raised questions about the earnestness of intentions on the part of the Review committee.
The Review Committee have said that they would look into the presentations and memorandums made and will accordingly discuss it and inform the public on the outcome in the future.
Expecting a possible Law and Order problem, the North District Police were in full preparation and in their riot gear. However the demonstration passed of peacefully without any incident.
The Review Committee have said that they would look into the presentations and memorandums made and will accordingly discuss it and inform the public on the outcome in the future.
Expecting a possible Law and Order problem, the North District Police were in full preparation and in their riot gear. However the demonstration passed of peacefully without any incident.
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