Chamling determined to go ahead with power projects

Gangtok, Jul 21 (UNI) Breaking his silence over the ongoing protests against mega power projects in North Sikkim, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today categorically stated that the projects will be implemented at all costs.

Addressing a gathering of landowners from the power project -affected areas of Dzongu, North Sikkim, the Chief Minister said majority of the people wanted hydro power projects in that area and the people's wishes would not be held hostage by a few disgruntled people.

'' There will be tremendous development in the state and the people will benefit from these power projects, '' Mr Chamling said.

He also highlighted the benefits for the people from project areas.

'' Sikkim will earn Rs 20,000 crore as revenue from all the power projects, which will make the state self-sustainable, '' he said.

Referring to the ongoing hunger strike by the members of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Mr Chamling said it was sponsored by the Opposition parties to portray his government in a bad light.

'' Opposition parties are destroying the future of Dzongu and Lepchas, '' Mr Chamling said.

He also warned if anything happened to those sitting on the hunger strike, the Opposition parties would be responsible.

The ACT had been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike since June 20, demanding that the power projects proposed in Dzongu should be scrapped.

Two ACT members Dawa Lepcha and Tenzing Lepcha had been continuing their indefinite strike from STNM hospital for the 32nd day today.

'' Neither will we bow down nor accept their demands. The hunger strike is anti-Sikkimese, '' Mr Chamling said.

'' Today we have intimidated the ACT to withdraw their hunger strike within 24 hours and come forward for dialogue as we have already opened the doors for talks, '' he added.

Regarding the recent NH-31A blockade by Lepcha associations from Kalimpong and Darjeeling, the Chief Minister said the state government was fully capable of protecting Dzongu and outside interference would not be tolerated.

The Chief Minister also sought to allay the fears of Dzongu people by stating that no permanent settlement would be allowed inside the area.

The state government was committed to protecting all aspects of Dzongu and the Lepchas, while the project was implemented in the area, he assured.

UNI