Former Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri L.D. Kazi passed away

Gangtok: The former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri L.D. Kazi Khangsarpa passed away on July 28 evening in his residence at Kalimpong. He was 103 years old and he was under treatment and his condition was stable since a week. Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling soon after hearing the demise of first Chief of Sikkim rushed to Kalimpong to pay last tribute to the former CM. Shri Kazi was the first Chief Minister soon after the merger of Sikkim in 1975 and he is considered the architect of the merger of Sikkim into Indian Union. With his passing away, an era of Sikkim history is ended.

http://www.himgirinepali.com/

Asha

This new-born baby was found shoved inside a drain pipe in a toilet of a workshop in Gangtok, Sikkim, India in the wee hours of the morning of May 23, 2007.
The baby girl is battling for her life in the Neo Natal Intensive unit of a hospital here. She has been abandoned by her teenaged mother. Baby Asha Tara is a tough fighter, who has refuse to give up her battle for survival. Doctors however say that even if she survives, she may need life-long medical treatment and may also suffer brain damage. Her future is bleak and uncertain. But she has the resilience and the will to live. Please pray for Baby Asha Tara and sent her all your good wishes and healings.

Danny Denzongpa returns with “Frozen”…

Danny Denzongpa returns to the big screen after a long time making way for his 150^th film by the name of “Frozen”. First time Director Shivajee Chandrabhushan, a 35-year old Mumbai-based photographer, is all set to leave his imprint as a filmmaker by doing some fine research.

The movie encompasses the journey of a father and his son and daughter, seen through the daughter’s eyes. Danny plays the father.

The director tries to be a bit experimental by treading on adventurous terrain and venturing into unexplored territories of film-making. In order to achieve it, he has chosen to make the film sans color. This was done in order to give it a look that goes in sync with the location of the film, i.e, Stakmo, which is an hour drive from Leh. Shivajee wanted it to be given that look as the film has been shot in winter and so there is no green anywhere. So it was shot in colour and was digitally intermediated to black and white and finally to get the required tonality, it was printed on black and white stock.

The movie was shot last year in February, over 34 days at an average height of 15000 ft above sea level.

The movie also stars Yashpal Sharma, Gauri, Angchuk, Shilpa Shukla and Anuradha Boral, Amir Bashir and Raj Zutshi and has cinematography by Shankar Raman and stunts by Sham Kaushal and Dawa Tsering. The film will have its international premiere at the forthcoming Toronto film festival’s Discovery section in September.

At a time when old classics are being released in colors, this one seems to be something across the tide.

French charged with wildlife theft let off with fine

Gangtok, July 26: Three French nationals charged with violating wildlife laws in the northeastern state of Sikkim were let off with a fine, saving them from punishment of up to three years in jail, officials Thursday said.

A government official said the youths - two boys and a girl in their early 20s - were held by forest wardens over the weekend from near the Budang reserved forest, about 100 km west of Sikkim's capital Gangtok.

"The trio were held with about 41 insects ranging from rare species of butterflies to moths. They also possessed equipment for collecting and catching insects," Sikkim's chief wildlife warden N. Bhutia told IANS.

The three youths who claimed to be students from the University de Corte and hailing from Corsica in France pleaded innocent saying they were not aware of local laws.

Under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, anybody found killing or trying to smuggle out, endangered species from reserved forest areas could face a maximum penalty of three years in prison.

"The crime they committed by catching insects from the forest could have landed them behind bars. But we deported them to the adjoining West Bengal state Wednesday after imposing a fine of Rs. 25,000 each after detaining them for four days," the warden said.

Bhutia said the government decided to "relax" the punishment, as the three were young.

"They were all very young students and we decided against taking harsh action purely on humanitarian grounds," the warden said.

Blogging a satyagraha - hunger strike - to save homeland in Sikkim

BB reader Jim Ratcliffe writes,

This link points to "Weeping Sikkim," a blog that chronicles an ongoing hunger strike by the youth of Sikkim, India to demand goverment transparency and accountability regarding hydroelectric projects in Dzongu, the homeland of the Lepcha people.

The good news is that hunger strikes by the Buddhist community in Sikkim have sucessfully stopped hydroprojects in the past. However, the projects planned for Dzongu are much much larger. The government of Sikkim is not evil, and has made remarkably progressive environmental moves in the past (e.g Sikkim was one of the first states in India to ban plastic bags).

Sikkim works hard to position itself as an ecotourism/buddhist pilgrimage destination for western tourists, so getting the word out about this hunger strike may help tip the balance.

The people behind the Sikkim protest blog are also uploading YouTube videos like this one (Video Link), which shows ACT (Affected citizens of Teesta) members Dawa Lepcha (age 35) and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha (20), on the 34th of their hunger strike. Here's another video about the protest, and the hydroelectric project: video link.

The latest post on this blog includes a statement from the government of Sikkim demanding that the hunger strikers stop within 24 hours, or face punitive actions for a protest that now deemed illegal.

More here.

The hunger strike is being described as a form of satyagraha. Here's more on the origin and meaning of that word.

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/07/26/blogging_a_satyagrah.html

Backpacking Europe is full of my mixed experiences, says Nitin Das Rai, a Sikkimese student studying in USA

Gangtok: Encouraged by his grand father Shri C.D. Rai, a octogenarian politician turned bureaucrat turned journalist and by his technocrat father like Shri P.D. Rai, a Sikkimese student Shri Nitin Das Rai studying in an university of USA shared his gainful experience with the members of press club of Sikkim here on July 14, 2007 at press club of Sikkim, which he had contemplated during May-June 2007. He said that the visit was not a kind of pleasure one, but it is a study visit by students who can learn many things by putting hard effort and doing struggle in practical life with minimum and limited amount and mostly cutting down the expenditure, practically to learn to live in adversity and gain the knowledge. The backpacking concept is prevalent in America and Australia, he added. He has received the travel grant from the university in a open competition. He along with his selected colleagues visited The Netherlands, (Amsterdam), France (Paris) Italy ( Venice, Florence, Rome, Neples) and Greece (Athens, Santorini). He presented the vivid and colourful photographs of monuments, statues and of many interesting features through computerized projection device in large screen before the audience and narrated his experience in every lively manner. In an interactive session, he said that sudden boom and unplanned manner of constructing buildings in and around Gangtok have not only disrupt the natural beauty of the town, but it can create natural catastrophe too in the year to come. To build a house for better living is justified, but to construct many houses by an influential person an lease them out for earning money and to lead easy life is not a good attitude and behavour of the people. It creates more pollution in the environment and thus makes the life measurable, he said. Replying to a question, he said that the main difference he observed between the people of European and Asian is while the former lives in history and culture, the Asian people are hard working and therefore they have good future prospect. The striking impression he learnt from the tour is that the European people maintain their heritage in a systematic manner and uphold socio-political values and more depend on history, which our people too must learnt from them.

The Session was chaired by Senior journalist and litterateur Subash Deepak who praised the deliberation of Nitin Das Rai and presented a scarf to him on behalf of Press Club of Sikkim giving him best wishes for his future endeavour. He hoped that because of his knowledge and experience, the State will be benefited in the years to come from his enumerable contrubution. Senior journalist Shri Ashok Chatterjee presented his thought provoking speech and remarked that Nitin is one of the talented students who was fortunate enough to acquire such opportunity to study abroad and keeps such a knowledgeable information at the age of 21 years only. The session was well attended by Sr. Journalist Shri C.D. Rai, Shri C.K. Dorjee and others.

Ganesh Tok, a Tourist View point hit by landslides

Ganesh Tok, a Tourist View point hit by landslides

Gangtok: It is the rainy season in full swing here and the landslides have already hit in and around the capital, the red signal to natural catastrophe and man made disaster in the recent time. After amdo Golai, Ganesh Tok, a few kilometer away at the hilltop of Gangtok was hit by landslide last Thursday. One house is completely damaged while other house is partially damaged. The state administration swung into action promptly and evacuated ten houses. Again, the landslide hit in the area and two more houses damaged completely after evacuation and thus the administration succeeded to save the lives of the people in time. The power supply has been badly effected due to the slide in the area since the high tension poles have been disrupted and damaged by the slides.

Sikkim docu-fest draws a crowd

Statesman News Service
GANGTOK, July 15: A documentary film festival, organised by a local group, is in progress here.
Fifteen documentary films from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, Canada and India are being screened as part of the festival.
“The festival is aimed at providing a platform to the documentary filmmakers to plan their future movies. This is for the first time that such a festival is being held in Sikkim,” said Mr Raman Shresta who played a ky role in organising the event.
“The movies, such as Team Nepal, The Great Indian School Show, The City Beautiful and Teardrops of Karnaphuli have caught the attention of the state’s cinelovers,” Mr Shresta, added.
These movies were also screend in Madrid, Dutch, USA, Karachi, Holland, Spain and all other South Asian countries, he said.
Free shows were organised for the students of Deorali Senior Secondary Girls High School (DSSGHS) recently. “The objective was to let the students know the improtance of documentary films. They showed keen interest in watching the documentary movies. We are now planning to let the students of Palzor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School to watch the movies,” Mr Shresta, added. He informed that efforts are on to bring in other popular documentary movies based on environment to the Himalayan state. “We want the youths to come forward and support our endeavour,” Mr Shreta said.

BE A CONCERN CITIZEN PLEASE !!

Dear Friends

We take pride in being Sikkimese . Sikkim with a polulation of just over five lakhs is known as the most peaceful state of India, our state is gaining popularity these days as the favourite tourist destination with many beautiful places to visit. Sikkimese are also friendly and hospitable people.

Over the last few years, our state is being flooded with giant MNCs setting up hydel power projects throughout the length and breadth of our tiny himalayan state causing a lot of heartache for the local people. Till last count, the present government has granted permission for 22 such projects to tap the powers of the mighty Teesta. Each project is bringing in thousands of people to our state in search of livlihood, just imagine the plight of us when all the projects get completed.

No, we are not against the development , only concern for us is that our sentiments be respected . Is it too much to ask for ? The govt has failed to realise this forcing local people to protest against it by going on for a indefinate hungerstrike.......

The members of the Affected Citizens of Teesta are on the eighteenth day of their indefinite hunger strike protesting against the highly destructive hydel power projects in Sikkim, especially in he North and in the Lepcha Reserve of Dzongu.

They have created an informative and interactive blog http://weepingsikkim.blogspot.com/.
Please visit this blog, and post messages, photos, relevant information.

You can also sent email to the Chief Minister of Sikkim at cm-skm@hub.nic.in or fax your concern to him at 91 3592 222245 or 224710 demanding that the government listen to the voices of the people, stop all on going construction and proposals and have a dialogue with the Lepcha community.

Please please kindly login and post ur messages to show your solidarity to a fellow human being ......in saving the enviroment !!

Teesta river project: Heading for disaster?

Dzongu (Sikkim): With 22 dams being built on the river Teesta in Sikkim, entire tracts of tropical forests will be submerged which will kill the states' only lifeline, the river Teesta.

In a last ditch effort, the Lepcha community is on an indefinite hunger strike.

Teesta V project involves 18 kilometres of tunneling. It's also called a run of the river project in which the river water is diverted through a long tunnel, dropped downstream while the height is used to generate electricity.

There is much less obvious displacement because of this but the question is by playing with the forces of nature by making the river go underground is it going to cause one of India's biggest environmental damage?

And now angry citizens -the Lepchas have embarked on a satyagraha with a 16-day relay hunger strike to save this the national park and biodiversity under threat from the hydel projects.

"These are going to affect the mountains, the amount of digging, the amount of people, the amount of pollution, bulldozer that's rolling, the blasting will destroy this place,” said a Buddhist monk Sonam Paljor.

In a similar attempt the monks were able to stop the Rathongchu project in West Sikkim that had threatened their sacred landscape and this time to protect the Kanchanjunga national park.

“We are taking care of all concerns: environmental, population, culture, flora, fauna,” said Chief Secretary of Sikkim, N D Chingapa.

Silently watching the hydel power mania is the third highest peak in the world.

Surprisingly, the Environmental Impact Assesment did not even mention the national park, within a kilometre of the project.

"Does the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation even care?" asked Paljor.

High up in the clouds of the Kanchanjunga, the abode of gods, the Lepchas or the vanishing tribe who call themselves Mu-Tanghci Rup Kup or mothers loved ones are probably fighting a losing battle.

Lepchas protest against Dzongu hydro project

Environment under threat
Statesman News Service
GANGTOK, July 11: Members of the Lepcha Youth Association (LYA), Kalimpong unit, blocked NH-31A at West Bengal-Sikkim border in Melli for more than two hours today to express their solidarity with activists of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) who have launched a hunger strike in Gangtok to protest against the upcoming hydroelectric power projects at Dzongu in North Sikkim.
Traffic movement was paralysed on the highway owing to the roadblock. Vehicles remained stranded on the highway in different places.
Mr Ajuk Tamsangmo, chief coordinator of the Lepcha Youth Association, said: “Over 4,300 people from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik and Bhutan participated in today’s roadblock in a peaceful manner.
The government’s move to start hydel power projects at Dzongu is not acceptable as it would affect the environment in the area and destroy the Lepchas’ creations.”
Members of various organisations, such as the Darjeeling Thong Tsesung (DTT), Darjeeling Primitive Tribes (DPT), Rong Ong Prongzen (ROP) and Teesta Sanga Samiti (TSS) supported the LYA’s agitation today.
“Apart from requesting the Sikkim chief minister and the Governor to withdraw the hydel power projects from Dzongu, we have also written letters to the Prime Minister, the President of India and the United Progressive Alliance chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi,” Mr Tamsangmo, said.
Meanwhile, the hunger strike launched by the Affected Citizens of Teesta members in Gangtok entered its 22nd day today, with no solution in sight.

Lepchas protest against Dzongu hydro project

Environment under threat
Statesman News Service
GANGTOK, July 11: Members of the Lepcha Youth Association (LYA), Kalimpong unit, blocked NH-31A at West Bengal-Sikkim border in Melli for more than two hours today to express their solidarity with activists of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) who have launched a hunger strike in Gangtok to protest against the upcoming hydroelectric power projects at Dzongu in North Sikkim.
Traffic movement was paralysed on the highway owing to the roadblock. Vehicles remained stranded on the highway in different places.
Mr Ajuk Tamsangmo, chief coordinator of the Lepcha Youth Association, said: “Over 4,300 people from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik and Bhutan participated in today’s roadblock in a peaceful manner.
The government’s move to start hydel power projects at Dzongu is not acceptable as it would affect the environment in the area and destroy the Lepchas’ creations.”
Members of various organisations, such as the Darjeeling Thong Tsesung (DTT), Darjeeling Primitive Tribes (DPT), Rong Ong Prongzen (ROP) and Teesta Sanga Samiti (TSS) supported the LYA’s agitation today.
“Apart from requesting the Sikkim chief minister and the Governor to withdraw the hydel power projects from Dzongu, we have also written letters to the Prime Minister, the President of India and the United Progressive Alliance chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi,” Mr Tamsangmo, said.
Meanwhile, the hunger strike launched by the Affected Citizens of Teesta members in Gangtok entered its 22nd day today, with no solution in sight.

Highway blocked for 2 hours

Malli (Kalimpong), July 11: Traffic on NH31A, which connects Sikkim to Siliguri, was disrupted for two hours following a blockade by the Rong Ong Prongzom (Lepcha Youth Organisation) here today.

The roadblock that began at 11am, was organised in support of Affected Citizens of Teesta which has been on hunger strike in Gangtok, demanding the immediate scrapping of the NHPC’s hydel projects in Dzongu, an area reserved for Lepchas.

About 2,000 people, mostly Lepchas attired in their traditional best — dumpra (for men) and gadha (for women) — split into four teams and blocked different intersections, allowing only ambulances, defence and other emergency service vehicles to pass. A heavy police bandobust, including a team of Sikkim policemen, was in place to maintain peace.

Addressing the gathering at the blockade, Prongzom president Dorji Lepcha said the intention was not to cause harassment to commuters, but to preserve the identity of the Lepchas. “Dzongu (meaning fortified palace in Lepcha) is sacred to us and any attempts to destroy it will have to be stopped,” he said.

Reacting to the blockade, the Sikkim information and public relations department issued a communique later in day. “The projects in Sikkim have been cleared by the government in public interest. The government of Sikkim has taken up the matter with the government of West Bengal expressing serious concern about the unlawful blockade and the lack of steps to prevent it,” the release reads.

http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/news/News/Highway-blocked-for-2-hours.html

Minister vows rail link to Sikkim

GANGOK, June 28: Union minister of state for Railways Mr R Velu announced here today that Sikkim would get the much-awaited railway connectivity soon.

“To begin with, trains would ply between Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, a stretch of 52.7 km. The estimated expenditure for the project is Rs 1,334 crore,” Mr Velu, said. He added that railway link in the state would be extended up to Gangtok later.

“We have decided to introduce five passenger reservation centres (PRCs) in Sikkim for the benefit of the common people and tourists,” he added. Mr Velu said that 14 per cent of the total revenue earned by the state railway would go to the Centre. “Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) will be introduced for the first time by the Northeastern Railway. Under the new system, tickets can be booked from any part of the state even without personal appearance,” Mr Velu, added.

It may be recalled that Sikkim Governor Mr V Rama Rao had called for introduction of railway services in the state during a meeting with the Railway Board officials at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi recently. Union panchayat minister Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, Governors and chief ministers of N-E states and chairman of the North-Eastern Council were also present at the summit.

“Railway connectivity was a long pending demand of the people of Sikkim. Since Sikkim is the only state in the north-east that does not have railway connectivity, the Centre decided to consider the plea of the state officials,” the minister, said.
He added that the Centre is also planning to introduce railway link in Nathu La at an altitude of 14,420 feet.

Mr Velu met state ministers and officials here today. Among others present at the meeting included minister of state for transport Mr Menlom Lepcha, Rajya Sabha MP Mr OT Lepcha, Lok Sabha MP Mr Nakul Das Rai and state chief secretary Mr ND Chingapa. Mr Velu is also scheduled to visit Thegu tomorrow. He will leave for Darjeeling on 30 June.

Hydel project row continues in Sikkim

Gangtok, July 8: Representatives of the Sikkim government, led by local MLA Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, held a public hearing in Dzongu today to win the support of landowners for the mega hydroelectric projects coming up in the Lepcha reserve.

Around 200 people gathered at Namprikdang in North Sikkim, many of them arriving in vehicles sporting the flag of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). The legislator has been defending the hydel power projects in the area even as protests against the plants gain momentum in Sikkim.

Even today, many landowners from Dzongu stayed away from the SDF show of strength at Namprikdang and were instead seen at B.L. House in Gangtok, where the indefinite hunger strike begun by Affected Citizens of Teesta entered its 18th day. ACT wants the state government to scrap all the projects coming up in Dzongu and review the ones planned for other parts of the state.

Two meetings between members of the organisation and the government have ended in a stalemate.

One of the protesters, 20-year-old Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha, had to be admitted to Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital this morning after his blood pressure dropped. Tenzing, along with ACT general secretary Dawa Lepcha, had been admitted to the hospital once before but both had refused food even there.

Another member of ACT, Chimi Lepcha, is still in hospital.

Some 12 others are also on fast. Many landowners have also been participating in a relay hunger strike, which is also being held at B.L. House.

Yesterday, the members of ACT wrote to chief secretary N.D. Chingapa said they were willing to end the indefinite hunger strike if the state government agreed in writing to certain conditions.

The organisation is being supported by Concerned Lepchas of North Sikkim and the Sangha (the monks’ body) of Dzongu. Lepchas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong have also decided to form a joint action committee to back the cause.

ACT already has many opposition parties and certain organisations within the state on its side.

Hunger strike by ACT protesting Dzongu Hydel Projects at Dzongu enters 19 days, Panchyat and local people favours the projects

Hunger strike by ACT protesting Dzongu Hydel Projects at Dzongu enters 19 days, Panchyat and local people favours the projects

Gangtok: The indefinite hunger strike by Affected Citizen of Teesta(ACT) enters 19days on July 9. Meanwhile local people and panchayat in a large number called a press conference here and supported the project stating that the project would bring more revenue in the State and development of Dzongdu area as well. The local Panchayat secretary Namdup refuted the allegation of ACT that the local people had given their land without their consent.

Earlier, six more persons had joined in the hunger strike on July 3. The person who joined in the satrygraha are Phumit Lepcha, Pintso Lepcha and Zangpo Lepcha from Dzongu constituency and Khem Lal Gautam(60), Sachabir Limboo(61) and Ratna Bahadur Gautam(50) from Raley and Somdong from Rakdong Tintek constituency. Meanwhile, in a press statement issued by IPR Department, Government of Sikkim clarified that none of the projects components fall within the Khanchedzonga National park and its bio-sphere reserve. The press statement has further stated that all the steps have been taken and pros and cons have been probed in order to protect the ecology before taking the project and therefore there is no room for any apprehension. The development of ecology would be taken by Forest Department at the cost of developer, the press statement adds.

On the other hand, the members of ACT are now optimistic that the talks between the representative and State Government will conclude fruitfully. Meanwhile, the area MLA has appealed to ACT not to politicize the issue. The second round talks were held on June 29 and there are rays of hope for the getting the breakthrough, although it is yet inconclusive. Meanwhile, MLA of Dzongu constituency Shri Sonam Gyatso Lepcha stated that the local people of Dzongu constituency have endorsed the project and questioned the credentials of ACT. He has stated that the State Govenrment has completed all the necessary formalities according to law before going for the project.

Earlier, The opposition leader and Sikkim Pradesh Congress(I) President Shri N.B. Bhandari and others met the persons of ACT who are in hunger strike and assured to take up their matter with the high command in New Delhi. It may be mentioned that the first round talks between State Government and the aggrieved party of ACT could not be conclusive on May 25. The acting chief minister Shri D.D.Bhutia had urged the ACT to lift the hunger strike since Chief Minister is away from home, however, the ACT did not agree to his call. A meeting between State Government and the representative of ACT led by Shri Athup Lepcha and others was held at Secretariat but it is learnt that the meeting was not conclusive. Acting Chief Minister Shri D.D. Bhutia and Chief Secretary, Shri N.D. Chingapa and other representative from state government stated to have explained the facts of the projects and urged to withhold the hunger strike and maintain peace and tranquility in the State, but it is understood that the representative of ACT has not been satisfied and they have requested 11 documents to furnish by the State Government for further talks and decided to continue their agitation. The next round of talks slated for June 29.

Meanwhile, Government of Sikkim in a press statement has said that all necessary action with regards to the hydro electric projects was taken as per the procedure established by law and only after mandatory clearances from the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India. The press release further states, "The State Government would also like to place on record that the MLAs and Panchayat are public representatives elected through free and fair elections held by the Election Commission of India in the case of MLAs and the State Election Commission in respect of Panchayat members. It is stated that the hydro electric projects are in public interest and shall provide opportunities of gainful employment to the un-employed youth of the State.

Earlier, the Citizen forum and other groups had visited BL house where there youths are on hunger strike since June 20. The political Secretary to Chief Minister, Shri K.T. Gyaltsen had too visited them but the talks could not be held since most of the officers of Government Department were away from the State.

While the State Government is taking major initiative to generate hydel power and become self-reliant, there are some group and organization of the people, who think the development must not be at the cost of the people's right. It may be mentioned here that Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), an organization started the hunger strike at BL House, Gangtok since June 20. On behalf of ACT, Dawa Tsering Lepcha(35 years), and Tenzing Lepcha, (25 years) had stated that they will go for indefinite hunger strike while Tsering Ongmu Lepcha will seat for the strike on the turn. President, Athup Lepcha, ACT while speaking to media person said that the proposed hydel project to be implemented in Dzonghu adversely affect the very existence of the Lepcha primitive tribe. Despite their repeated requests, they said that their grievance has not been sorted out and ultimately, they decided to go on hunger strike.

Meanwhile two Lepcha youth from Kalimpong payong Lepcha, 26 years and Ahyon Lepcha, 25 joined in the hunger strike from July 6.