The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) has raised concerns over signs of social tension in “peaceful Dzongu” after the distribution of the compensation at Panang Project area.
In a press release issued today, ACT general secretary Dawa Lepcha informs that with the distribution of the compensation after the imposition of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, in Dzongu, family tension and quarrels have been on the rise among family members especially at the Panang Project area.
According to the release, conflicts have risen from the fact that the compensation was distributed prior to the separation of the land holdings among the family members as per parcha/ khatiyan.
This, according to Mr. Lepcha has resulted in hoarding of the compensation by few members of the family and neglect of the other members, which has further resulted into family disgruntle and feuds. “These are signs of social tensions and problems for future in the quite peaceful land due to no land no money situation topping it with no education and qualification and no job”, the general secretary points out.
He also questions whether such tensions are in store for Dzongu or Sikkim in general in the name of development in the long run.
The general secretary further informs that there are incidences where innocent villagers have been cheated by middle men and sadly many have finished more than 50% of their money without investing much. “Nine families whose 70% land has been acquired have no knowledge of the situation and no one knows what might happen to them once their compensation money runs out,” the release reads.
“This is the reason, why tribals should not be separated from their land, for investment means nothing to most of them, save for few exceptions. We see many Busuks in the making,” the release further reads.
In the meanwhile, Tenzing and Ongchuk Lepcha, who have been carrying their indefinite hunger strike from STNM Hospital are discharged from the hospital and have joined fellow strikers at BL House. Doctors have not removed rile tubes and have advised the duo to continue with it, something similar to Irom Sharmila of Manipur, the release informs. Both the protestors’ conditions have stabilized for the time being.
However, Dawa Lepcha still remains in the hospital since his vitals organs have not shown complete improvement according to the doctors. He will have to undergo some more tests, the release adds.
source:sikkim express
In a press release issued today, ACT general secretary Dawa Lepcha informs that with the distribution of the compensation after the imposition of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, in Dzongu, family tension and quarrels have been on the rise among family members especially at the Panang Project area.
According to the release, conflicts have risen from the fact that the compensation was distributed prior to the separation of the land holdings among the family members as per parcha/ khatiyan.
This, according to Mr. Lepcha has resulted in hoarding of the compensation by few members of the family and neglect of the other members, which has further resulted into family disgruntle and feuds. “These are signs of social tensions and problems for future in the quite peaceful land due to no land no money situation topping it with no education and qualification and no job”, the general secretary points out.
He also questions whether such tensions are in store for Dzongu or Sikkim in general in the name of development in the long run.
The general secretary further informs that there are incidences where innocent villagers have been cheated by middle men and sadly many have finished more than 50% of their money without investing much. “Nine families whose 70% land has been acquired have no knowledge of the situation and no one knows what might happen to them once their compensation money runs out,” the release reads.
“This is the reason, why tribals should not be separated from their land, for investment means nothing to most of them, save for few exceptions. We see many Busuks in the making,” the release further reads.
In the meanwhile, Tenzing and Ongchuk Lepcha, who have been carrying their indefinite hunger strike from STNM Hospital are discharged from the hospital and have joined fellow strikers at BL House. Doctors have not removed rile tubes and have advised the duo to continue with it, something similar to Irom Sharmila of Manipur, the release informs. Both the protestors’ conditions have stabilized for the time being.
However, Dawa Lepcha still remains in the hospital since his vitals organs have not shown complete improvement according to the doctors. He will have to undergo some more tests, the release adds.
source:sikkim express
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