V Rama Rao’s effigy burnt in front of Congress Bhawan
GANGTOK, Aug 5: Members of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee burnt Governor Mr V Rama Rao in effigy today to protest against his apparent failure in solving the stalemate surrounding the upcoming hydroelectric power projects at Dzongu in North Sikkim.This is arguably the first time in Sikkim’s history that the effigy of a Governor has been burnt.It may be recalled that the Lepchas have launched a hunger strike under the banner of Affected Citizens of Teesta to protest against the state government’s move to allow hydel projects at Dzongu. The youth activists of the SPCC held a “black flag demonstration” here today and burnt the Governor in effigy, seeking immediate solution to the Lepchas’ hunger strike. They demonstrated wearing black bands and holding black flags in their hands to condemn the upcoming hydel projects. The Congress leaders alleged that they submitted several memorandums to the Governor, requesting him to intervene in the matter and find out a solution. “The Governor did nothing to end the crisis,” former chief minister and SPCC chief Mr Nar Bahadur Bhandari, said. 
Mr Bhandari claimed that the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi had also sent several letters to the Governor, requesting him to take up the matter with the Sikkim government.“The Governor did not respond to Mrs Gandhi’s letters,” Mr Bhandari, alleged. Members of the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, a regional political party, also lambasted the Governor over the issue and supported the Congress agitation.“We also wrote several letters to the Governor and even met him personally. He, however, kept mum, thereby indirectly supporting the proposed hydel power projects,” Mr Tara Shresta, general secretary of the SHRP, said. The Congress, meanwhile, has vowed to do whatever it could to save Dzongu from hydel power projects. “We will not allow the state government to play with the sacnctity of Dzongu,” Mr Bhandari, said. He said the government should consider the Lepchas’ demands.
Mr Bhandari claimed that the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi had also sent several letters to the Governor, requesting him to take up the matter with the Sikkim government.“The Governor did not respond to Mrs Gandhi’s letters,” Mr Bhandari, alleged. Members of the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, a regional political party, also lambasted the Governor over the issue and supported the Congress agitation.“We also wrote several letters to the Governor and even met him personally. He, however, kept mum, thereby indirectly supporting the proposed hydel power projects,” Mr Tara Shresta, general secretary of the SHRP, said. The Congress, meanwhile, has vowed to do whatever it could to save Dzongu from hydel power projects. “We will not allow the state government to play with the sacnctity of Dzongu,” Mr Bhandari, said. He said the government should consider the Lepchas’ demands.
