Lepcha threat over Dzongu

By Source: The Telegraph on November 22,2007

Kalimpong, Nov. 21: The Rong Ong Prongzom (Lepcha Youth Association) has threatened to abandon its peaceful protest and resort to “other means” because of a lack of response from the Sikkim government over the Dzongu issue. The ongoing protests, which include relay hunger strikes, against the setting up of hydel projects at Lepcha reserve Dzongu in North Sikkim are being spearheaded by a joint action committee comprising different Lepcha organisations from Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills, including the Prongzom. 

The Lepchas have been on a relay hunger strike in Gangtok, Darjeeling and here for various periods of time. The Prongzom will wait till November 30 — when their relay hunger strike will enter the 100th day — for the response from the Sikkim government before announcing its next phase of agitation.

“Our youths are tired of sitting in peaceful protest. They want to abandon satyagraha (non-violence) and resort to other means of protest,” said Dorjee Lepcha, the Prongzom chief. He did not elaborate.