CPM support for Sikkim Lepchas

GANGTOK, Aug 13: Twelve CPI-M supporters from Sikkim were arrested and later released by the Kalimpong police today. The CPI-M leaders were arrested for for blocking NH-31A at Melli in Kalimpong sub-division for more than two hours today. The arrested CPI-M leaders included Mr Balaram Adhikari, secretary of the CPI-M’s Sikkim unit, Mr DN Nepal, Mr Anjan Upadhaya, Mr Shayam Sharma, Mr Padam Sharma, Mr Manoj P Sharma, Mr P Koirala and Mr Punya Koirala. The CPI-M leaders had blocked the highway demanding immediate solution to the stalemate surrounding the hunger strike launched by members of the Affected Citizens of Teesta to protest against the upcoming hydroelectric power projects at Dzongu in North Sikkim. The ACT’s strike, meanwhile, entered the 59th day today.Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on NH-31A at Melli in West Bengal’s Kalimpong sub-division following the CPI-M agitation. “The objective behind blocking the highway was to support the ACT activists’ demand,” said Mr Anjan Upadhaya, an active member of the CPI-M’s Sikkim unit. He accused the Sikkim government of failing to deal with the issue. “We also want unconditional release of the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee leaders who were arrested by the police recently on charges of burning the effigies of chief minister and the Governor,” Mr Upadhya, added. Mr Balaram Adhikari, secretary of the CPI-M’s Sikkim unit, said: “No one can stop us from staging protests for a genuine cause,”