Hunger stiker member hospitalised, continues strike

Gangtok, Jun 27 (UNI) A member of the Affected Citizen of Teesta (ACT), who had been on an indefinite hunger strike from June 20 was hospitalised last night, following health problems.

Dawa Lepcha(35) is presently receiving treatment at STNM hospital. However, the strike reached the eighth day today, Mr Lepcha said.

Two ACT members Dawa Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha had been on an indefinite hunger strike from June 20 protesting against the implementation of seven mega hydel power projects in Dzongu, North Sikkim.

They have a single point demand-scrapping the proposed mega power projects. The first round of dialogue held on June 25 between the state government and ACT ended in an inconclusive note. ACT has demanded several key documents relating to the power projects from the state government by June 28.

''If the state government gives the documents tomorrow, then only further talks would be possible,'' said Athup Lepcha, ACT president. He said that if no documents were provided by the state government then there will be no further dialogue and strike will carry on.

UNI