ACT has refused to call off the indefinite hunger strike despite 24 Hours Government Warning, Braces itself for Police action
Gangtok:Sikkim Government had warned the hunger strikers on Thursday that it would declare ACT indefinite hunger strike illegal after 24 hours as it has accepted its main demand regarding setting-up of a review committee to examine all aspects of hydel projects in Dzongu but some elements within ACT has compromised and confused the strikers as it has not called off hunger strike despite Government taking all initiatives to address all genuine demands of ACT and provided sufficient opportunities to ACT members to present their case and Government claimed yesterday in its public statement that there does not seems to be "honest" intentions to resolve the issue.
Members of fears that they risked arrest as they have refused to call off their hunger strike. Two hunger strikers namely Dawa Lepcha & Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha were being dip-fed with glucose in hospital while the others were still continuing their fast at BL Bhawan.Doctors warned that the health of the fasters is deteriorating. Government officials also said that they cannot risk young lives at stake as it is seriously concerned about their health conditions and moreover, it believes hunger strikers are misguided by opposition parties and therefore it is doubtful if any fruitful decision would result after many rounds of dialogue as well as in principal acceptance of their prime demands.
ACT has refused to call off the indefinite hunger strike and continued their fast.The 24 hour ultimatum to call off the hunger strike ended in the afternoon today and peaceful protesters were expecting the police to turn up any moment to take action .
There was however, no action till late evening.
ACT members sat in protest peacefully waiting for action.
However, close to the site of the hunger strike, at Sadar Police Station, armed policemen of Sikkim Armed Police were preparing a mock drill wearing protection gear and combat fatigues along with all the top brass of the Police Force.ACT has also called on the Sikkim Governor Shri V. Rama Rao at Raj bhawan and submitted him a memorandum seeking his intervention fearing strong action may be taken against peaceful satyagrahis fasting to protest.As of now, no action has been taken by the police.
The indefinite hunger strike continues into its 39th day tomorrow and Dawa and Tenzing’s health is critical.
(Inputs from Weeping Sikkim blog)
