India
Lepcha youths begin hunger strike against power projects
Gangtok | Monday, Mar 10 2008 IST
Three youths from the indigenous Lepcha tribal started their indefinite hunger strike here today demanding total scrapping of the mega power projects proposed in the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu, North Sikkim. Dawa Lepcha (30), Tenzing Lepcha (19) and Gebu Lepcha (19) began their hunger strike after participating in a rally taken out by the Dzongu Lepchas here during the day. Around 300 Lepchas from Dzongu participated in the rally in their traditional attire hoisting flags and banners that screamed of the community being threatened by the 'so-called' developmental projects in their own heartland. Dzongu, located in North Sikkim under the lap of the mighty Khangchendongza, is considered as a holy place by the Lepchas who believe that it was at this area where the first Lepcha couple had arisen. In this initial Teesta river belt of Dzongu the State government has proposed mega power projects including the controversial 495 Panam project which has ignited resistance from the Lepchas under the banner of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT). ''These power projects are a threat to our existence and the Khangchendzonga Bio-sphere Reserve and Khangchendzonga National Park,'' said Dawa Lepcha while beginning his second indefinite hunger strike after a gap of six months. Both Dawa and Tenzing Lepcha had sat on a 63-day hunger strike last year against the proposed mega power projects in Dzongu and had withdrawn on August 21 following an appeal from the Chief Minister. -- (UNI) -- 10CA45.xml
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