GANGTOK, Sept. 18: The Lepchas from Darjeeling and Kalimpong are still on their relay hunger strike, which completed 27 days in Kalimpong and 18 days in Darjeeling. Also, they have successfully completed their Delhi tour where they had pleaded with the UPA and Union ministers. “We met Mr Oscar Fernandez, union labour minister and he has assured us”, said Mr Dorjee T Lepcha president of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA). “We also met Mr Nilotpal Basu, Mr Fernandez and Mr Abani Roy, RSP, and they too have taken the matter seriously,” he added. “Mr Fernandez was surprised that no one had brought up the issue and was under the impression that everybody was happy with the projects,” said Mr Lepcha. “So now he had will take the matter seriously,” he added. “We also wrote letters to the Human Right Commission and they are sending some journalists and politicians to look the matter” said Mr Ajuk Tamsangmo, chief coordinator of the lepcha youth organisation (LYO). “They are also committed to solve the matter soon, ” he added. “We are waiting for the state government to fulfil its commitment as the hunger strike by the affected citizen of Teesta (ACT) continues”, said Mr Tamsangmo. “Our religious sentiments and our faith which we have been practicing for thousands of years is at stake. So we are ready to sacrifice our selves to protect Dzongu sanctity”, he added. “Now we are also planning a mass rally in Kolkata and demonstrations in Delhi next month, ” he said. Earlier, they had met tribal minister, Mr PR Kyndya and Mr Raj Nath Singh, national president of BJP and they had receives a positive response.
