Thursday, July 05, 2007

ACT HUNGER STRIKE ENTERS DAY 16


PHOTO:TEESTA is the most magnificent and beautiful river in the Darjeeling district. It originates from lakes and glaciers in north Sikkim, forming two rivers Lachung chu and Lachen chu (chu ='river' in Tibetian/Lepcha languages), which unite at Chungthang, then literally bisects the state running north-south. It then takes its magnificent form near Singtam, flows through Rangpo into West Bengal. It divides the Darjeeling district into the sub-divisions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong

"DESPITE LUKEWARM RESPONSE FROM THE GOVT, SPIRITS STILL HIGH"

GANGTOK, July 05: The indefinite hunger strike initiated by Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) today entered its 14th day, with 11 protestors sitting in the hunger strike, and still holding on to their demands.
Today, Ms Thawang Lhamu (22) from Dzongu and Janga Bahadur Poudyal (58) from Singbel, East Sikkim joined the group of hunger strike protestors at BL House, Gangtok. Yesterday, three Satyagrahis were admitted to the STNM Hospital here, who are continuing with their hunger strike from the Emergency Ward of the Hospital.
Despite the lukewarm response from the State Government on this issue, the spirits of the Satyagrahis are still very high. “The response from the State Government has been lukewarm but our spirits are high with the overwhelming support of our well wishers and supporters that has continued to pour in,” Dawa T Lepcha, the General Secretary of ACT who on his 14th day of hunger strike, said. “We are hopeful that with the continual support and best wishes from all our well-wishers, we will certainly succeed in our endeavour,” he said.
Meanwhile, the representatives of Tripura Human Rights Commission and Press and social organisations from Tripura today extended their support and solidarity for ACT.
The team, who is on a visit to Gangtok, said that they are supporting ACT in its endeavour “to fight against the destruction of flora, fauna and livelihood of the people of North Sikkim.”
“In the name of so called development, the attack of people’s right to land and livelihood should be stopped. We wish success to the hunger strikers. We are with you”, a press statement issued by the Tripura delegation here today said.
The four member Tripura representatives include, Secretary to Tripura Human Rights Organisation, Purushuttom Roy Burman, and Tapas Das Gutpa, Miher Gupta & Nakul Roy.
Later today, the Chairman of Citizen Forum, Thukchuk Lachungpa paid a visit to the Satyagrahis at the BL House and inquired about their health