Prohibitory orders help Sikkim avoid confrontation over Dzongu project

A confrontation between the east district administration and opponents of a hydroelectric power project at Dzongu was today averted after over 500 Lepcha people from West Bengal called off their visit to the state capital here in the wake of clamping of prohibitory orders by the authorities.
The Lepcha delegation, which had reached Singtam last evening and was scheduled to visit Gangtok to express solidarity with the activists of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) agitating against the power project at Dzongu, would embark on their visit to north Sikkim from Singtam itself, ACT spokesman Mr Tseten Lepcha said.
The decision to make alternative travel arrangement for the Lepcha people from the neighbouring state was taken after the east district administration clamped section 144 prohibiting the assembly of large gathering in the state capital, he said.
The Lepchas from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and adjoining areas, who were on a four-day visit to Sikkim for pilgrimage to their holy land at Dzongu and also to register their protest against the construction of hydroelectric power project there, would reach Dzongu by undertaking padyatra from different destinations, the ACT spokesman said.
The ACT, a non-political organisation, has been agitating against the Dzongu power project since June 20, 2007, on the ground that the project site was a holy land of the indigenous Lepcha community.
It had solicitated support from the Lepcha people from West Bengal for the ongoing agitation against the power project consequently over 500 lepchas from the neighbouring state had arrived at Singtam yesterday to extend symbolic support to the protesters.

Courtesy: The Statesman

Latest Travel News

IATO ADTOI WBTDC EHTTOA TAAB