Gangtok: C ontrary to popular belief that Government has disengaged itself from dialogue and negotiations with Affected People of Tees ta who have its two members undergoing now 46 days of indefinite hunger strike despite their frail health conditions, It has come to light that high powered committee appointed by Sikkim Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling has not let the link of backdoor communication with representatives of ACT snap abruptly and this linkage have taken a constructive turn as ACT have written a letter to state government on August 2 ,2007 response to a communique issued to them by state government on July31 .The contents of these letters has not been revealed but State Government has reiterated its commitment to uphold the sanctity of Dzongu and the special status enshrined by Article 371F of the Constitution.It also intimates that the Review Committee to be set up would be a time bound initiative.The letter to ACT also emphasised that all officials of the state government as well as general public of Sikkim are deeply concerned for hunger strikers and adds that ACT should also recognise the need to uphold the rule of law. It urges the ACT to call off their indefinite hunger strike in larger interests of Sikkim and should any untoward happens to hunger strikers,the blame would fall on ACT not on them.
Welcoming the move,ACT also urged the government to notify the constitution of Review committee as soon as possible following which hunger strike would be withdrawn.In their letter to government,ACT has clarified that demand that 50% of members of the committee should be from ACT actually meant that at least 50% of members should be local people of the Dzongu as it desires adequate local representation on the Review committee.It also states that Review Committee should have at least 3 eminent persons of national or international repute and standing .This is seen by many observers as a major step towards a resolution of the six weeks old indefinite hunger strike launched by ACT duo Dawa Lepcha and Tenzing Lepcha. Yet, despite statements of good intentions and numerous rounds of negotiations, parties have been unable to come to an agreement.
The talks’ immediate concern are health of Dawa and Tenzing Lepcha and safeguarding of Dzongu interests.
