Opposition demand White Paper on State Govt’s hydro power project plans; condemn malicious pamphlets in circulation
Gangtok:Former Chief Minister and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) president, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, has criticised the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Government for “failing to take appropriate steps” to resolve the on-going “crisis” in the State, in the wake of the Satyagraha launched by the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT).
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Bhandari accused the SDF Government of “miserably failing to understand the genuine demands of the people of Dzongu and amicably resolving the crisis.”
“The peaceful Satyagraha and hunger strike led by ACT has completed 44 days. Two young members of the ACT are battling for their lives in the Hospital. Yet, the Government has remained a silent spectator and done nothing to solve the problem except issue ultimatums and threats to the protestors. This only shows that the SDF Government has no respect or value for human lives or human rights,” Mr. Bhandari said.
Stating that ACT had been “extremely patient” since December 12, 2006 for the State Government to fulfil the assurances it had given them that their demands would be looked into, Mr. Bhandari said that “ACT wanted nothing but the sanctity of Dzongu be maintained at any cost.”
“The 44 days of hunger strike is perhaps the longest Satyagraha in the history of the country,” he said.
The Congress president said that ACT was championing a “genuine cause which needs to be supported by every individual and organisations, be it social or political.”
Criticising the State Government for issuing warnings and threats of legal action against the protestors, Mr. Bhandari said that “no Government had the right to warn or threat any peaceful protest with legal action.” “ACT has not violated any law and they have been peacefully carrying on with their Satyagraha.”
The Congress also strongly condemned circulation of “filthy and damaging pamphlets and leaflets” purportedly issued by the ruling party under pseudo-names and organisations. “The contents of these pamphlets are intended to malign the images of those individuals and organisations who have shown support to the cause of Dzongu. These pamphlets are attempting to character assassinate individuals in the most deplorable and highly objectionable vulgar language bereft of the decency and are nothing but part of the propaganda launched by the ruling party to justify its stand on hydel projects. This is highly objectionable,” Mr. Bhandari said.
“The Government through the SDF party’s Central Working Committee has not even spared the students and has engaged them in the circulation of pamphlets in schools and colleges to gather support for the hydro-electric power projects and also nullify the just and genuine demands of the ACT in the larger interests of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people. The SDF party has no right to drag the student community in politics and spoil their future. The parents should condemn such activities,” he said.
Mr. Bhandari also said that the State machinery should immediately book the persons responsible for publishing and circulation of these publications.
The Congress has also questioned the statement made by the State Government that the “Central Government had decided to stop developmental grants to the State.” “We demand from the State Government to make available copy of the relevant notification of the Central Government for the information of the public. The State Government should also come out with a White Paper on all the hydro-electric power projects in Sikkim as every Sikkimese has the right to know in detail about the merits and demerits of such projects,” Mr. Bhandari said.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Bhandari accused the SDF Government of “miserably failing to understand the genuine demands of the people of Dzongu and amicably resolving the crisis.”
“The peaceful Satyagraha and hunger strike led by ACT has completed 44 days. Two young members of the ACT are battling for their lives in the Hospital. Yet, the Government has remained a silent spectator and done nothing to solve the problem except issue ultimatums and threats to the protestors. This only shows that the SDF Government has no respect or value for human lives or human rights,” Mr. Bhandari said.
Stating that ACT had been “extremely patient” since December 12, 2006 for the State Government to fulfil the assurances it had given them that their demands would be looked into, Mr. Bhandari said that “ACT wanted nothing but the sanctity of Dzongu be maintained at any cost.”“The 44 days of hunger strike is perhaps the longest Satyagraha in the history of the country,” he said.
The Congress president said that ACT was championing a “genuine cause which needs to be supported by every individual and organisations, be it social or political.”
Criticising the State Government for issuing warnings and threats of legal action against the protestors, Mr. Bhandari said that “no Government had the right to warn or threat any peaceful protest with legal action.” “ACT has not violated any law and they have been peacefully carrying on with their Satyagraha.”
The Congress also strongly condemned circulation of “filthy and damaging pamphlets and leaflets” purportedly issued by the ruling party under pseudo-names and organisations. “The contents of these pamphlets are intended to malign the images of those individuals and organisations who have shown support to the cause of Dzongu. These pamphlets are attempting to character assassinate individuals in the most deplorable and highly objectionable vulgar language bereft of the decency and are nothing but part of the propaganda launched by the ruling party to justify its stand on hydel projects. This is highly objectionable,” Mr. Bhandari said.
“The Government through the SDF party’s Central Working Committee has not even spared the students and has engaged them in the circulation of pamphlets in schools and colleges to gather support for the hydro-electric power projects and also nullify the just and genuine demands of the ACT in the larger interests of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people. The SDF party has no right to drag the student community in politics and spoil their future. The parents should condemn such activities,” he said.
Mr. Bhandari also said that the State machinery should immediately book the persons responsible for publishing and circulation of these publications.
The Congress has also questioned the statement made by the State Government that the “Central Government had decided to stop developmental grants to the State.” “We demand from the State Government to make available copy of the relevant notification of the Central Government for the information of the public. The State Government should also come out with a White Paper on all the hydro-electric power projects in Sikkim as every Sikkimese has the right to know in detail about the merits and demerits of such projects,” Mr. Bhandari said.
