PR Teesta Dam CCDD 20070630

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Affected Citizen of Teesta (ACT)
against construction of several proposed mega dams
on the Teesta River in Sikkim

PRESS RELEASE
28 June 2007, Friday

Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), a platform in India’s North East, has been spearheading the struggles against the construction of unsustainable dam projects like Mapithel Dam, Loktak Multipurpose Project, proposed Tipaimukh HEP and several other small and large dams in Manipur. One of the CCDD’s major activities has been to create awareness and sensitize the general public against the promotion and development of unsustainable forms of development and dams.

We in CCDD extend our full support and solidarity to the indefinite hunger strike called by the affected people of Dzongu led by the Affected Citizen of Teesta (ACT) against the construction of several proposed mega dams on the Teesta River in Sikkim, the protest campaign which has entered eight day today.

The Teesta River, which begins in the Himalayas, is the lifeline of Sikkim
Picture Courtesy: Nichalp from Wikipedia

The Affected Citizen of Teesta (ACT) has taken the strong decision to intensify their campaign by resorting to hunger strike as a result of consistent denial by the State Government to the repeated democratic call for justice by the affected people of Sikkim against the arbitrary sanctioning of several mega hydel power projects in the protected area of Dzongu in North Sikkim by the State Government and NHPC.

The hunger striker of ACT, with the support of the Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS) and the Sangha of Dzongu-Dawa Lepcha, Tshering Ongdup Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha-has been continuing with their democratic non-violent protests in front of the BL house. The major demand by the protestors has been to stop the projects planned in Dzongu and review all other several dam projects along the Teesta River in Sikkim.

It is noted here that the State Government of Sikkim and NHPC since 1970’s have been attempting to construct series of 10 mega dams at several parts of the Teesta River along the mountainous parts of Sikkim in the name of harnessing hydroelectric power. Not only that the projects in the one of world’s biodiverse region will destroy precious fauna and flora wealth of the earth, but will take away the Indigenous Peoples’ land and territory submerging vast track of land, forest, farmlands, spiritual and cultural sites etc.

At no time in the different dams being planned the free prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples have been asked or obtained. We in CCDD have seen these violations by the state, and there are several organizations who are witness to these systematic violations in several parts of north east including Sikkim. This indeed is a serious threat to the survival of the Indigenous Peoples of the region.

Indeed the resolute and courageous step taken up by ACT’s leader Mr. Tseten Lepcha is inspirational that construe his steadfast stand for the self-determination of his people and homeland. We believe his resignation from the post of General Secretary of Sikkim Congress Committee (SPCCI) reveal the hard reality that the affiliation to political party will not solve the current marginalization process of Indigenous Peoples in their homeland. CCDD expresses our deepest solidarity.

CCDD reiterates that the construction of several dams on the Teesta River in Sikkim and numerous dams coming up in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Mizoram notwithstanding the call of the peoples in the region to stop all construction in view of the environmental, social, spiritual, cultural, human rights, ecological annihilation that these dams will cause to the peoples of this region.

CCDD resolves again that it will support and strengthen our stand against unjust development projects and resolve to protect the democratic inherent rights of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.

Wangkheirakpam Ram, CCDD(Citizens Concern for Dams and Development) supplied this Press Release to e-pao.net . He can be contacted at wramd(at)yahoo(dot)com or at ccddne(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in . This Press Release was webcasted on June 30th, 2007

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