BJP to hold a silent demonstration in Gangtok on June 20

Gangtok, Jun 17 (UNI) The Sikkim unit of BJP will hold a 'silent' demonstration here on June 20 protesting against land acquisition process and reduction in rates of farm land.

State BJP unit general secretary C.B.Chettri in a press statement today said the demonstration would be held considering the plight of people, especially the farmers whose land had been requisitioned.

The rates had been reduced from Rs 7.5 lakhs to Rs 2.14 lakhs for cardamom field, Rs 7 lakhs to Rs 2 lakhs for paddy field, Rs 4.95 lakhs to Rs 1.41 lakhs for dry field, Rs 3 lakhs to Rs 87,750 per acre of barren land and so on by gazette notification 236 of August 10, 2006.

The party had already written to the Superintendent of Police (East) for the permission to hold the demonstration.

''We will also take part in the coming Panchayat and municipal elections in technical collaboration with all the Opposition parties,'' Mr Chettri said.

The elections are expected to be held in October this year.

UNI