The Indefinite Hunger-Strike by Dawa & Tenzing Completes Two Months
Gangtok,August 19: Exactly two months ago Sikkim saw the beginning of a hunger strike to demand that the hydel projects being implemented by state government in North Sikkim in general and in Dzongu in particular be stopped.This bold act of civil resistance is being coordinated by 'ACT ' known as Affected Citizens of Teesta and lepcha community members since its beginning in mid-July,2007.Some of them have pledged to go without solid food - permanently, if necessary -- unless their demand is met! and Many of them would participate in relay hunger strike at BL House located in Tibet Road,Gangtok to express their support and solidarity to the cause of its leading duo Dawa Lepcha, a documentary film maker and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha , a student in Sikkim Government College.Both of them hails from sacred land of lepchas 'Dzongu' in north Sikkim. Both of them despite being admitted to STNM hospitals off and on have continued with their passive protests and On August19,2007 The indefinite hunger strike has completed exactly two months long period as leading duo of Dawa &Tenzing have till date refused to eat orally.Each participant is free to decide the duration and variety of their fast on an individual basis, or in consultation with other hunger strikers. Some participants will fast for a few days; others are fasting for an open-ended time span.
The hunger strikers' basic position is this: At this critical time in our world, with the survival of our planetary ecosystem hanging in the balance, it is imperative for the Government of Sikkim to stop providing a fig leaf of encouragement to the implementation of hydel projects in Dzongu in view of its cultural,religious,historical importance and status with Lepcha community, the Aborigines people of Sikkim and instead use their position of political leverage to further safeguard and secure Sacred Dzongu and its surroundings and towards genuine welfare of lepchas.
Owing in part to its technical complexity of hydel projects implementation and baggage and load it would end up putting on river Teesta.These Hydro projects are the pivotal step in creating environment disaster. It is also perhaps the most polluting stage in the securing green energy through hydel electric projects.
On the other hand, Government of Sikkim has continuously taken a stand that harnessing hydel power of rivers of Sikkim is an step forward towards securing sustainable economic freedom and building a source of revenue for future of Sikkim and its development activities. Hydel projects are symbol of a developed society everywhere in world and has not resulted in impacting anywhere negatively as suggested by hunger strikers.These developments are part and parcel of Sikkim government plan to revitalize state economy by vision 2015 and are undertaken in national interests and securing energy requirements of growing India. Sikkim Democratic front government is prepared to face the political consequences of undertaking these developmental projects as per the remarks of Sikkim Chief Minister Dr. Chamling. State government has gone ahead with securing land for projects in Dzongu and has started making compensation payments to the affected land owners which ACT terms as violation of constitutional rights of lepchas and Dzongu granted under 371 F(k).
The hunger strike was started to apply critical public pressure to force the state government to consider a resolution to sever ties with the encouraging hydel projects in Dzongu. The Hunger Strike Made An Impact by being able to focus attention of general public as well as government on concerns of hunger strikers and their views on matter and both sides has till date held six rounds of dialogues to find a solution but with the time and various events surrounding these hunger strike has resulted in turning the focal point into a political issue from apolitical mode.
Government has called upon the hunger strikers to negotiate with authorities by calling off hunger-strike unconditionally and ACT has informed to do so if few of their conditions are met .For the moments, The hunger strike has completed its sixty days and still counting. The politics is "Art of Possible ". The time is now. Talks will instantly transform into a genuine possibility for finding answers .Both sides need to be flexible and There is need to build momentum on both sides. Sikkim Chief Minister is basically an open minded and positive person and political commentators would vouch for that fact.
And somewhere,somehow,someway, there lies middle path .We do not have answers now but time has !!!
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