Lepchas: Scrap power projects

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 04 Jan 2020, Gangtok: The Lepchas of Dzongu have iterated their demand for the scrapping of the two hydel projects in North Sikkim to protect both their socio-cultural identity and the environment of the area, which is marked as the natural habitat and reserve of the community acknowledged as the original inhabitants of the Himalayan state.

In a memorandum addressed to Sikkim chief minister P. S. Tamang (Golay) on the second day of the Naamsoong (Lepcha New Year) festival at Namprikdang in Dzongu on Friday, the Lepchas said the NHPC Stage IV (520MW) and Himgiri Panam (280MW ) projects on the Rongyoung and Teesta, respectively, violated the sanctity of sacred rivers.

"The proposed implemen- tation of the project has been the constant source of mental anguish and physical hardship for Dzongu and her people for a very long time wherein not only their socio-cultural identity has been put to a severe test but even the environmental safety of the region has been critically challenged," said the memorandum.

The memorandum hoped, unlike the previous Sikkim Democratic Front government, the present Sikkim Krantikari Morcha dispensation would lend its ears to the voices of the people of Dzongu and provide to them justice.

"The public of Dzongu now look to our esteemed government to stand behind the cause of its people and accord rightful justice to the land and people of Dzongu with an unconditional scrapping of the two projects," it added.