Lepchas of Sikkim urged government to scrap all 14 mega power projects from the region

Sikkim/Gangtok: Lepchas of Sikkim have urged policy makers to 'rethink, re-assess and scrap' all 14 mega power projects from the region that are either under operation or being proposed.

''We, the concerned Lepchas of Sikkim, have been witnessing the entire ongoing natural catastrophe in Sikkim, particularly Dzongu, Chungthang and Lachung area with regret, shock and helplessness,'' a press release by Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS) said.

CLOS pointed out that the region falls seismically in the most active Zone V.

Incidentally, CLOS along with the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) fought for 915 days calling for closure of all the mega-power projects from the region.

''There have been anti-eco activities like explosion of blasting, thereby weakening land stability despite the region being most fragile and prone to earthquake,'' the statement said.

''It is with utmost regret to learn that our area, which has the largest number of giant power projects, suffers the most, both in terms of lives and property,'' the statement added in regard to the September 18 earthquake.

--UNI