Gangtok, Aug 12 (PTI) A relay hunger strike against upcoming power projects in North Sikkim which has already completed fifty four days and is still going on has made this otherwise sleepy hill town sit up and take notice.The strike, the longest ever by any organization in the state, is being carried out by the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), an outfit fighting for the cause of those to be directly affected by over half a dozen hydel power projects proposed for the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu in Sikkim's North district.The strikers are demanding scrapping of all the projects in Dzongu which, according to them, pose a threat to the fragile ecology of the region as well as the culture of the Lepchas, an indigenous tribe inhabiting the area.It is for the first time that the proposed hydroelectricity projects in Dzongu have been so vehemently opposed by any organisation in the state stirring up considerable political activity in the capital.Several rounds of talks held between the state government and the strikers over the issue have so far been inconclusive with the state government insisting on an immediate withdrawal of the strike and the strikers adamant on a concrete solution.A combined opposition on the other hand is trying hard to cash in upon the inbroglio by throwing its weight behind the strikers and flaying the state government for its failure to end the stalemate over the issue.
(Alok Mishra,PTI)
