SIKKIM: SHRPP’s merger with the Congress on the cards?

FROM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Gangtok, Jul 29 (PTI) Stung by the routing in the assembly polls in the state, Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) may soon merge with the Congress as leaders of the two parties are holding closed door parleys at the Congress Bhavan here, sources in the party said.

As soon as the CWC in-charge of Sikkim, Luizinho Faleiro concluded a meeting of his partymen this afternoon, a SHRPP delegation led by its president A D Subba and its Lok Sabha candidate Tara Shreshta were escorted to Congress Bhavan for a meeting with him and Sikkim PCC president N B Bhandari.

In what is being seen as an indication of a consensus on the merger issue in SHRPP, about 100 partymen followed Subba and Shreshta to the Congress office.

SIKKIM: Chamling govt ‘punishing’ Cong workers – Faleiro

FROM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Gangtok, Jul 29 (PTI) The Pawan Kumar Chamling government in Sikkim was today accused by Congress of denying party workers the benefits of central schemes.

“Congress workers are being harassed and discriminated against by the official machinery of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government as punishment for not voting for the ruling party in the recently-concluded assembly polls,” Congress CWC member and in-charge of party affairs in Sikkim Luizinho Faleiro said.

Genuine BPL cardholders from the Congress workers were being denied benefits of welfare schemes by bracketing them as APL in utter violation of the norms laid down, Faleiro, the former Goa Chief Minister told reporters here.

Warning the Chamling government, he said that the state government should not forget that it has been the largest beneficiary of the Congress-led UPA.

BHAGSU: No action on benami properties of Tibetans

FROM THE TRIBUNE

Bhagsu, July 28: The government is dithering to take action over the benami properties owned by the Tibetans in Mcleodganj and other surrounding areas of Kangra district.

The DC till 2005 had declared 74 major properties owned by Tibetans as benami. He had ordered transfer of these properties in the name of the government as per the provisions of Section 118 of Land Tenancy Act.

As per the information, some of the properties of the Tibetans that have been declared as benami include the Institute of Dialectics at Mcleodganj, the Norbulinka and Kirti monasteries. The property was purchased in the name of Dev Raj Negi, Budhibalraj Singh, Satya Dev Negi and other unknown farmers of the state. However, later the Tibetan institute came up on the land.

There were 74 such properties that were purchased in the name of unknown farmers and later Tibetan institutes or establishment came up on them. The respective collectors declared all these properties as benami.

However, on the request from the Tibetan administration here the government in 2006 issued a notification that all benami properties under control of the Tibetans before 2005 should be given on lease to the Dalai Lama society for a period of 50 years. However, in case the Dalai Lama moved out from the state the properties would once again be vested in the state government.

Though the notification was issued in 2006, it was yet to be implemented. However, even after that period the Tibetans have purchased large numbers benami properties in and around Dharamsala. Presently, 34 cases are pending before the DC in which it has been alleged that the Tibetans have bought benami properties.

SIKKIM: Gorkhaland is possible on linguistic minority basis – Luizinho Faleiro

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON

BGP members with Luizinho Faleiro

GANGTOK, July 29: The Sikkim unit of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) today submitted a memorandum to AICC member and Sikkim in-charge of Congress, Luizinho Faleiro for the support of the Congress party towards the Gorkhaland demand.

In its memorandum, the Sikkim BGP highlighted to the Congress leader about century old demand of Indian Gorkha community for the separate State of Gorkhaland.

“It is a demand of 12.5 million Indian Gorkhas spread over 22 states of India, including Sikkim”, said the Parisangh in its memorandum while adding that it is a national organization spread all over the country looking after the welfare of 12.5 million Indian Gorkhas.

The Parisangh also briefed the Congress leader that the Gorkhaland issue is more of a national identity issue for the Indian Gorkhas.

In response, Mr. Faleiro justified the demand for Gorkhaland for the national identity of Indian Gorkhas. He said that if the Gorkhas were given the status of a linguistic minority then the separate State of Gorkhaland will be possible.

SIKKIM: Tanks in Sikkim not sign of tension with China – Tharoor

FROM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Thiruvananthpuram, July 28 (PTI) India today said the deployment of Army tanks in Sikkim, which have been there for many years, is “not a sign of mounting tension” with China.

“It is not a sign of mounting tension….it is a sign that your government is determined to protect the borders of India and takes its responsibilities seriously,” Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said here while reacting to media reports today on the matter.

“There is no additional tension (between India and China). We want good relations with our neighbours. But we are prepared to ensure that our borders and country are secure,” he added.

Army officials in Delhi said the Russian-made T-72 tanks have been deployed in high altitude areas of North Sikkim for many years in defensive roles.

SPORTS WATCH: Without Bhaichung, it’s not going to be same again, laments Barreto

FROM INDIAN EXPRESS

The club management’s snub to Bhaichung Bhutia notwithstanding, Jose Ramirez Barreto feels that without the Sikkimese Sniper, Mohun Bagan attack is not going to be the same again.

“I will miss Bhaichung. Over the last three years, we developed a perfect understanding, both on and off the field. It’s sad that he won’t be there this time,” said Barreto as he returned to the city today.

Incidentally, Barreto tried to play the peace-broker after Bagan and Bhutia went on the warpath, but couldn’t succeed as the clash of egos superseded everything.

Bagan has replaced Bhutia with Edeh Chidi. And the team’s No 1 marksman is hopeful that he would be a success. “Chidi is a good striker who is dangerous inside the box. The key would be our understanding on the field. This is one aspect we have to work on pre-season,” Barreto said.

Bagan’s pre-season training is expected to start from Thursday at Kalimpong.

As for his own performance, the Brazilian said: “I am not getting any younger. So, I have to work extra hard to make up. I know the fans have a huge expectation from me but pressure brings out the best in me.”

Baggage blues

Meanwhile, there was a hiccup as Barreto’s baggage, reportedly lost in Dubai transit, didn’t arrive today. He may have to wait a few days to get back his luggage.

RADIO TALK: Radio Misty partners with expedition to ladakh mountains

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON

Radio Misty 94.3 fm, the first and Number one fm station of North Bengal and Sikkim has partnered with Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation for Expedition to Mount Lamsher Kangari (21,870 ft)and Mount Chamser Kangri(21,725 ft) in Ladakh Himalaya in august and September. Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAF) has also been awarded Tenzing Norgey Memorial Challenge Trophy for its achievements in the field of adventure sports.

The challenge of technical climbing, the fragile terrain, the exposure of high altitude and many other factors stands as hindrances for a successful climb of the peaks. But the Hnaf team with combination of experience and youth is strong enough to face the challenge of the climb. The Main aim of the expedition is to stimulate the urge to explore the unknown and love the nature in the spirit of adventure amongst the youths and to go with the adventure technique of mountaineering with alpine style of climbing.

The team will start from Siliguri from 16th august and will return on 14th September. Radio Misty will cover live the whole expedition. Apart from this listeners will wish this team

NEPAL: Arms deal with India a rumour – Nepalese PM

FROM NEW KERALA.COM

Kathmandu, Jul 28 : Nepalese Prime Minister Madav Kumar Nepal today said no deals were made to bring weapons from India.

”The Government has not made any agreement to buy arms from India and it is just a rumour. The visit of Nepalese Defence Minister to India is to strengthen the bilateral relations,” Mr Nepal said while addressing Parliament today.

He added the government was working on its main priorities of concluding the peace process logically and writing the constitution on time.

The Unified CPN (Maoist) demanded clarification from prime minister on the reported arms deal with India and has disturbed the Parliament since three days.

SIKKIM: SPCC constitutes monitoring committee to ensure all Central funds are spent accordingly

An ocean of poverty still exists amongst the island of prosperity: Faleiro

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 28: As a step towards checking the alleged misappropriation of funds by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Government, the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) today constituted a monitoring committee to ensure that all funds sent by the centre for various developmental works are spent accordingly in Sikkim

Luizinho Faleiro, Sikkim State Incharge of the party, who is in the State for a four day visit said that the eight member committee (two each from four districts) would come up with a detailed report within a month and the report would be later sent to the party central unit for further action on the state government.

The members of the monitoring committee are Kunga Nima Lepcha and DB Basnett for East District, Anil Lachenpa and Topden Lepcha for North, Pema Kinzang Bhutia and Yuva Raj Rai for West and Lalit Sharma and Phuchung Lepcha for South District.

As part of the party’s membership drive and a robust mobilization programmes in the State, Mr. Faleiro also attended an interactive session here where Congress supporters from across the State expressed their grievances on post-poll political victimization, which they faced after the party’s defeat in the elections held in April 2009.

Commenting on the state of affairs of Sikkim Mr. Faleiro said, “An ocean of poverty still exists amongst the island of prosperity”. He further informed that all funds sent by the centre has not reached the grassroots and further demanded an enquiry into the alleged corrupt practices of the SDF government.

SIKKIM: Sparse population reason for low enrolment in North Sikkim

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 28: The reasons for shortage of teachers in North Sikkim are the low enrolment and remoteness of some schools, said State Human Resource Development (HRD) minister NK Pradhan in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly today during the Question Hour. Mr. Pradhan was replying to the question posed by legislature Tshering Wangdi Lepcha how had sought to know if there is shortage of teacher in any particular school and the reason behind it.

In his supplementary question, Mr. Lepcha desired to know the reasons for the low enrolment.

Population is sparsely distributed in North Sikkim and there are places where the students are very low which leads to low enrolment in the schools, replied the HRD minister. He said that there are 84 schools in the North Sikkim in various categories ranging from lower primary to senior secondary.

There are altogether 779 teachers in these schools, added Mr. Pradhan.

Mr. Lepcha also sought to know from the Science & Technology department on the cost factor of micro hydel power project being taken up by the department at Thangu, Lachen in North Sikkim.

The Science & Technology minister Bhim Dhungel reppled that the Thangu micro hydel project (2 x 100 KW) had been sanctioned by the Ministry of Science & Technology at the cost of Rs. 86.65 lakhs in November 1998 on 90 percent Centre and 10 percent State basis.

SIKKIM: Sikkim MP calls on Kamal Nath; discuss issues raised by Chamling

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 28: Sikkim Lok Sabha MP PD Rai called on Union Minister for Shipping, Roads, Transport and Highways Kamal Nath today at his office in Transport Bhawan, New Delhi and discussed on the issues raised by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling when he had called on the Minister on June 19 earlier this year.

The Minister informed Mr. Rai that all the issues raised by the Chief Minister were being looked into and assured that it would be taken up seriously.

Mr. Rai also brought up the subject of slow progress on the National Highway 31A widening and quality of work.

The Union Minister will be sending a team for inspection shortly, the MP said today.

The Sikkim MP also mentioned about the poor quality work in the Gangtok-Mangan-Chungthang sector. He felt it was of great strategic importance and that now it was intolerable. For this, the Minister assured the MP that he would take suitable action.

SIKKIM: Highlights of Budget 09-10 Comprehensive health packages announced for Sikkimese people

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on July 27 tabled the annual budget 2009-10 which chronicles the immediate and future policies of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government.

One thrust area in the 4th term of SDF government is on improving the health delivery services to the people besides providing health insurance to BPL families. The State Government is also very serious to tap the medicinal and aromatic plant resources of the State. These upcoming initiatives have been elaborated along with allocation of funds by the Chief Minister in his budget speech in the House, excerpts of which are presented below.

Health Programmes

We have also envisaged an innovative scheme of providing health insurance coverage for every Sikkimese above the age of 45 years and the modalities for implementation of this new initiative is being formulated. We will consider introduction of a workable Health Insurance Scheme to cover the medicare requirements of our entire population. A matching budget allocation shall be made accordingly.

In our society, we are still to evolve a social practice to go for annual health check-up on a compulsory basis. Therefore, we have undertaken an ambitious program known as Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual and Total Checkup for Healthy Sikkim (CATCH) to provide comprehensive annual and periodical health services to citizens from village to State level.

SIKKIM: Pakyong airport completion prolonged by another 12 months

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 28: The Union Minister of State for Ministry of Civil Aviation Praful Patel today said the completion date of the Pakyong Greenfield airport has been prolonged to another 12 months.

“The construction of runway and apron works has been awarded for an amount of Rs. 264.29 crores with a target of completion of this work within 24 months. However the entire project is likely to be completed within 36 months”, said Mr. Patel in his reply to a question from Sikkim MP OT Lepcha in the Rajya Sabha today.

This revision of the completion deadline of the Pakyong airport is contrary to Mr. Patel’s earlier enthusiasm on February when he had asserted that the airport will be completed by June, 2011.

While giving no reasons for the extension of the deadline, Mr. Patel said that manpower and machinery have been mobilized for the Pakyong airport project and earth excavation/filling is in progress.

At the same time, the Minister of State tried to put the ball in the court of the Sikkim Government.

“The work is likely to pickup once the removal of the present encumbrances like shifting of rural water pipelines crossing the airport project site, felling and removal of trees, shifting of electricity transmission lines, diversion of Dikling road, relocation of Chortens/Devisthans from the project land, removal of unauthorized construction around the airport boundary and construction of CC footpath upto Dikling school is completed by the State government”, said Mr. Patel.

SIKKIM: Sikkim shows considerable decease in infant mortality rate

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

BY NIRMAL MANGAR

GANGTOK, July 28: One in 30 children in Sikkim die within the first year of life and one in 25 dies before reaching the age of five.

The figure also implies that the infant mortality rate in the State is much lower than in most of the other Indian states, albeit more than twice than that found in Goa and Kerala.

Uttar Pradesh ranks the highest with 74 percent infant deaths.

As per the recently conducted National Family Health Survey, the rate of infant mortality has decreased considerably in Sikkim in the last seven years. The report states that the girls in Sikkim have a lower mortality risk than boys during the neonatal period, but slightly higher mortality risk than boys during the post neo natal period.

Speaking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, Gynaecologist, Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital Dr Kanti Sharma informed that the children born to teenage mothers have slightly higher risk of dying in the first year of life than children born to mothers in their twenties. Also the maternal death is high in the case of early pregnancy, Dr. Sharma said adding “first born children face a higher mortality risk than second and third births”.

The report also reveals that 12 percent of women aged 15-17 years have already begun child bearing stage, compared with 16 percent at the national level.

SIKKIM: Sikkim Municipalities (Amendment) Bill passed

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 28: The Sikkim Municipalities (Amendment) Bill was passed today in the second day of budget session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

The Bill had been introduced yesterday by State Urban Development minister DB Thapa. The Bill had been framed in view of the State Government’s decision to provide individual reservations to tribal communities of Bhutias, Lepchas, Limboos and Tamangs in the urban local bodies of Sikkim.

It may be recalled that the State cabinet on June 10 had approved 22 percent reservation to the Bhutia-Lepcha communities in both Panchayat and urban bodies. The cabinet had also approved 14 percent reservation to tribal communities of Limboos and Tamangs in both Panchayat and urban bodies.

The Sikkim Appropriation Bill which was introduced today by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was passed by the House.

Mr. Chamling also introduced Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Amendment Bill in the House today.

While tabling the Bill, the Chief Minister said that State legislature had enacted the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act in July 2008. The State government has also made the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules, 2009 under the Act.

DARJEELING HILLS: Tourism hit in Hills as bandhs go on and off

FROM INDIAN EXPRESS

Kolkata: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) may have recoiled from their bandh decision for the time being, but the uncertainties in the hills have taken a heavy toll on the tourism market of West Bengal. While many foreign and domestic tourists are keeping away from the Queen of Hills, both the state tourism department and private travel agencies are concerned about the depleting revenue in this sector.

While 80 per cent of the flow comprises domestic tourists, the rest are foreigners coming to Eastern India all through the year, specially during the Durga Puja.

“Now is the time when people start their bookings. If the political turmoil in Darjeeling comes back then we might have to face a big challenge in the tourism sector in the long run. Foreign tourists who head for the hills usually plan their journey in advance and in the midst of such tension, they may be averse to traveling to this part of the state. We hope that since the crisis has died down for the time being, the domestic tourist flow would recover but we are concerned that there might be a long term effect on foreign tourist flow,” said TVN Rao, Chairman of the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.

For Racheal Kovensky and Gracie Per of USA, such bandhs have spoilt their year long plan of visiting Darjeeling. Both the students had to cancel their trip and head for Nepal as an alternative.

“We had heard about Tiger Hill back home. We were looking forward to going to Darjeeling. But then we came to know that we cannot go there since some political party has called for a bandh. Now we believe that things are ok but we do not want to take a risk,” said Racheal.

NEW DELHI: Shaheed Diwas observed in New Delhi

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON

DARJEELING: Hills returns to normal

FROM TIMES OF INDIA

DARJEELING: Life returned to normal in the Darjeeling hills on Tuesday following the withdrawal of GJM’s indefinite bandh that began on July S13.

The pro-Gorkhaland party announced the withdrawal of the strike on Monday, citing “the need for creating a suitable atmosphere for the August 11 talks between GJM, the Centre and the state government”.

Markets, offices and educational institutions wereS opened but revenue offices and electricity and telephone bill counters remained closed as part of GJM’s non-cooperation movement that started in April 2008. The party has asked people not to pay taxes and to protest the government’s opposition to its statehood demand.

The strike had been called in support of GJM’s demand for a separate Gorkhaland, transfer of IG (North Bengal) K L Tamta and two other senior police officers and an inquiry into the July 10 clashes between police and GJM supporters at Panighatta.

EVENT: BGP Meet in Mumbai

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON

BGP Media Cell : The first ever meeting of BGP in Maharastra state will be held on 9.8.09 at Wilson College, Chaupati, Mumbai which is likely to be attended among others by Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, Vice-President, C.K. Shrestha, Working President, Sukhman Moktan, Secretary General, Prof. Munish Tamang, Secretary, Central Programme Cell, Joel Rai, Col (Retd) B.S. Rana, Bhupendra Adhikari, Commodore (Retd) K. S. Rai and Gorkha social activists of Mumbai. The meeting is likely to hold discussion with the local Gorkha residents of financial capital of India about the need of a pan-Gorkha social body for the cause of Nepali speaking Gorkhas of India. In the meeting the BGP leaders would highlight the seven point national agenda of the organisation which tops the creation of a separate state for the Indian Gorkhas by the centre govt. Apart from this, literature, documents and other requisite materials of the BGP will also be distributed in the meeting. BGP has requested all concerned who are outside Mumbai to request their relatives and wellwishers of the Gorkha community to attend the meeting and take part in the session. For this purpose contact numbers are : TEL: 399 99521 FAX:: 399 99831.

OPINION: KEEP THE FINGERS CROSSED

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

BY SUMANTA SEN

The Centre, the state and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will meet in New Delhi on August 11 to discuss the situation in the Darjeeling hills. Earlier, there had been another meeting but all that it had achieved was an agreement to meet again. If the Centre and the state had hoped that the GJM would put a halt to its agitation because talks were in progress, they were mistaken. Next month’s meeting has been forced upon them by Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri, who imposed an indefinite bandh in the hills from July 13 to July 28. The agitators may consider the Centre’s call for a meeting a victory of sorts but that is all they may have in their bank. Unless, of course, the Congress in West Bengal and the Trinamul Congress decide to go along partly with the GJM’ s demand for a separate state. It is on them that the Centre’s decision depends.

Such a possibility does exist. Although the Left Front in West Bengal is dead against the claim, the home ministry may well seek to persuade Writers’ Buildings that making a partial concession to the demand will relieve the government of much of its worries. The Morcha wants the proposed Gorkhaland to include Siliguri and parts of the Dooars. It may be offered just the three hill sub-divisions as a compromise. The Morcha, of course, will spurn such an offer. But for how long? After all, it is also under pressure from the people who are getting restless with a life of agitation and economic uncertainty. New Delhi is also under some pressure as adjoining Sikkim has to bear the brunt of the GJM bandhs though the issue does not concern that state.

Wits’ end

Politically, the Congress and the TMC do not lose anything if they support the cause of Gorkhaland. In the hills, they have no presence. In the plains, they will tell Bengalis that the creation of a small Gorkhaland cannot be compared to the Partition of 1947 because it will not lead to any uprooting of people. On the other hand, if the agitation is put to an end, tourists will have no further problems in going to Darjeeling. The trading community in Siliguri will say that call the hills by whatever name, its business will remain unaffected. These are arguments that the Marxists will find difficult to refute, particularly since it has become clear that the state government’s writ no longer runs in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong.

NEPAL: Gachchhadar to register new party today

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar is registering a new party at the Election Commission on Wednesday, according to Ram Janam Chaudhari, a senior leader close to Gachchhadar.

The new party will be named Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, Nepal (Loktantrik) with Gachchhadar as chairman. Initially, the party will have 19 central committee members. However, the party is yet to decide on the name of leaders to assume the key post of vice president and general secretary.

Chaudhari said a meeting on Wednesday morning will decide the matter.

NEPAL: PM, Koirala concur on mechanism

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala agreed to form a high-level political mechanism at the earliest to deal with the present political problems of the country on Tuesday.

In a meeting held at Koirala’s residence in Maharajgunj on Tuesday morning, PM Nepal forwarded a proposal to form the high-level political mechanism. They even decided to work towards making the Maoists participate in the mechanism.

The procedure for the formation of the high-level political mechanism commenced after the Maoists agreed to deal with the political problems through a high-level political mechanism on Monday.

NEPAL: PM rules out arms deal

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Tuesday reassured the interim legislature that there was no agenda to procure arms during Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari´s current India visit. The prime minister stated that the government was committed to abide by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) reached between the then Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists.

Addressing the House, Prime Minister Nepal said that Defense Minister Bhandari was on an official visit to India from July 20 to 26 at the invitation of her Indian counterpart.

Bhandari held discussions with Indian Defense Minister A K Anthony, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and the main opposition party leader Lal Krishna Advani during her stay in India, said Prime Minister Nepal. Allaying concerns raised by the main opposition Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), he said, “The government has neither made any decision nor has any plans to buy arms.”

The Maoists had obstructed parliamentary proceedings since July 26, demanding that the prime minister furnish clarification about the alleged arms deal in parliament. The House business resumed on Tuesday after the prime minister addressed the House bowing to Maoists´ pressure.

Earlier, Madhes-based parties had threatened to disrupt House proceedings if Vice President Paramananda Jha was made to follow the Supreme Court´s order which has asked him to take fresh oath in Nepali. The vice president had taken oath of office in Hindi, which the apex court labeled as “unconstitutional.” The prime minister maintained that the issue of oath taking should be settled on the basis of consensus among all political parties.

BHUTAN: 7 schoolboys washed away by Wangchu

PM appeals to parents, teachers and local government officials not to allow children to swim in rivers

FROM KUNESEL NEWSPAPER

By Kinga Dema

28 July, 2009: July 26 was a foggy Sunday in Tshimalakha. At noon, Ugyen Dorji’s two sons said they wanted to go to the school compound to study with friends. They left taking their lunch boxes.

Thirteen hours later, Ugyen Dorji watched his two sons, along with five other boys, get swallowed up by the Wangchu (river), as a rescue team made a desperate attempt to pull them to safety. The boys were huddled together on a rock in the middle of the muddy and swollen river, when a gush of water washed them away, said Ugyen Dorji.

“Everyone tried their best to save the children, but it didn’t work,” he said quietly, still in a state of shock, the next afternoon. “I watched them for so long, only to see them being taken away by the swollen river.” His sons, aged 14 and 12, were from his first wife.

When they had said they wanted to go to school, a short walk from where the family resides, Ugyen Dorji did not realise that his sons had lied to him and planned instead to go all the way down to the river to swim along with six other friends of the same school.

Of the eight Tshimalakha lower secondary school students, who had set out for the Wangchu with their lunch boxes on the afternoon of July 26, seven were washed away. The youngest among them was a 10-year-old Class IV student. The eldest, an 18-year-old class VIII student, was the lone survivor.

The boys walked for about two hours downhill from the zero point in Tshimalakha to get to the swimming spot, two kilometres downstream of the Chukha hydro project dam site. They swam for a few hours, crossed the river and had lunch. “Before we could cross over to the other side, the river started rising,” said the only survivor, Tshering Samten, who stays with his sister and brother-in-law.

“We were all good friends and it was the first time we went swimming. I was at home washing clothes when they told me to come along,” said Tshering Samten, his tired eyes filled with tears.

“The water just touched our knees when we got there but, after a while, it started to rise. I managed to cross and, standing in the middle of the river, I told them to come one after another, so that I could take them to the other side,” he said. “But they started to panic and none came forward.

Tshering said he told them to stay where they were, on the other bank of the river, and that he would inform the parents and get help.

“I lost track of time as I started climbing uphill,” he said. “All I knew was that it started getting dark.” He even lost his way but managed to reach Tshimalakha by around 8.30 pm. Terrified, he could only inform the parents of two boys. The parents, along with their office staff and neighbours, went down to the spot.

SIKKIM: Committee to monitor central funds

FROM THE STATESMAN

GANGTOK, 28 JULY: The Sikkim Pradesh Congress has constituted a monitoring committee to ensure all Central funds for various developmental works are spent accordingly in Sikkim. The move is being touted as the Congress’s effort to check alleged misappropriation of funds by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front government.

Mr Luizinho Faleiro, in-charge of the party’s Sikkim unit informed that the eight member committee (2 each from four districts) would come up with a detailed report within a month and the report would be sent to the party central unit for further action. Mr Faleiro was here today to attend the party’s membership drive and mobilization of programmes. Congress supporters from all over the state alleged they were being politically victimised after the party’s defeat in the April elections this year.

Commenting on the affairs of Sikkim Mr Faleiro said: “Poverty still exists in Sikkim as Central funds do not reach the grassroots. He demanded an enquiry into the alleged corrupt practices of the SDF government, holding power since 1994. “The Centre has not allotted Rs 2,700 crores to be spent on the whims and fancies of the SDF government,” he said.