Government appeals ACT to withdraw hunger strike

Gangtok, Aug 16 (UNI) The fast unto death, Satyagraha launched by some members of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) demanding scraping of Mega Hydel Power Projects in Dzongu, north Sikkim, entered its 58th day today.

Meanwhile, the state Chief Secretary, who is also the Chairman of the Empowered Committee on Hydro Power Projects, in a letter to the ACT reiterated that the government was committed to protecting the sanctity of Dzongu and the old laws of the state. He said any action shall be in conformity with the law.

The government assured that all the genuine concerns would be addressed and appealed the ACT members to call off their indefinite hunger strike. ''It is necessary to have a congenial atmosphere for a dialogue in this regard, which the State Government feels may not be possible, unless the hunger strike by the ACT is called off,'' said the Chief Secretary to ACT in his written on August 14 letter.

ACT has already stated that it is willing to have a direct dialogue with the Chief Minister only and not any other committee.

UNI