Sikkim panel draws flak

GANGTOK, April 17: Members of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), North Sikkim, have accused the coordination committee, set up by the state government for facilitating implementation of hydro power projects in the district, of "failing to address the apprehensions of the locals". "It is unfortunate that the committee has never bothered to even listen to the grievances of the people let alone do anything for their future, even though the mandate of the committee is clear on that", Mr Tseten Lepcha, chief coordinator, ACT, wrote in a letter addressed to the committee.Copies of the letter were today handed over to the media, chief secretary and the governor. The state government had constituted a committee last year, headed by cabinet minister Mr Hissey Lachungpa, to ensure implementation of agreement signed with hydel project developers. The responsibilities of the committee were also to addend the public grievances and attend matters related to land and private properties. Promotion of direct and indirect local employment and ascertaining amicable solutions to contract and business opportunities to the locals are the other responsibilities of the committee."The committee has failed to register even a symbolic effort to save the people from the attempt of ethnic cleansing from their homeland and the backward primitive tribes of North Sikkim from being landless," Mr.Tseten wrote in his letter."The problem in North Sikkim is even more alarming due to the serious negative impacts on the endangered demographic profile of the areas, fragile environment, rich bio-diversity, culture and traditional ways of life and above all, scarcity of agriculture land due to steep terrain and depletion of cultivation", he added.The ACT has demanded immediate cancellation of land acquisition notices and stop all efforts to forcibly acquire precious land of the people and ensure that all aspects of the citizens are guaranteed. "If the committee fails, it should be dissolved before further damages are done to the people and let the people carry on the struggle themselves," the ACT members, said.The ACT has also demanded that the committee to comes out with clarifications for "failing to safeguard the basic rights of the poor indigenous citizens of the state".