Meeting between ACT and government fails to break deadlock

Gangtok, Jun 25 (UNI) A high level meeting between senior government representatives and Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) members,who have been on a hunger strike since June 20, today failed to break the deadlock.

ACT chief coordinator Tseten Lepcha said the Sikkim government representatives could not offer a concrete solution following the absence of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who is presently out of the state. The hunger strike is still on, he said.

ACT members had been on a hunger strike for the past five days demanding that the proposed seven mega hydel projects in Dzongu (North Sikkim) be scrapped.

Acting Chief Minister D D Bhutia, chief secretary N.D.Chingapa and some other senior government officials discussed with ACT representatives for an amicable solution.

'' However, no concrete solution was given and we are not calling off our protests only on verbal assurances,'' said the ACT chief cordinator.

'' We have asked the state government to submit some key documents relating to the proposed hydel projects on June 28 so that we can further highlight our concerns,'' said Mr Lepcha.

Meanwhile, ACT president Athup Lepcha warned that the state government will be held responsible if anything happened to the striking members.

Two ACT members Dawa T.Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha are on an indefinite hunger strike since June 20 and their conditions are deteriorating every day.

ACT stands firm on its demand that no mega hydel projects should be implemented in Dzongu which is a protected area and the last bastion of the Lepcha community.

UNI