Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC)

Upper Syari, P. O. Deorali - 737102, East Sikkim E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.siblac.org Ph. +91 9434144224

To Shri Kiren Rijiju Hon'ble Minister of State Ministry of Home Affairs Govt of India New Delhi.

Sub: Deliberate wrong Information provided by Sikkim Govt to Shri Piyush Goyal in the matter of anti-Buddhist 97MW Tashiding Hydro Project vis-à-vis systematic attack on Buddhist sacred places in Sikkim.

Hon'ble Sir, "Tashi Delek".

1. The Dharma ethos and its sacred tradition must be maintained in Sikkim at all cost for the sake of national security of our country. Development activity at the cost of genocide is not acceptable to all Dharma lovers of this Himalayan region. 2. If Holy Geeta is for Hindus, Holy Quoran is for Muslims, Holy Bible is for Christians then Holy Denzong Neyig (Guide to all sacred sites of Sikkim) is for Buddhists of Sikkim and all Himalayan Buddhists. 3. May I bring to your kind attention that Shri Piyush Goyal's letter bearing No. D.O.No.1/1/2015-11.1/3271 dated 03 Feb. 2015 addressed to your good- self about impact of 97MW Tashiding HEP on sacred Buddhist river of Rathong Chu in West Sikkim is totally immoral and fictitious one. 4. Affidavit on behalf of Respondent No.3, that is National Board of Wild Life (NBWL), MoEF is attached here for your kind perusal please . i. Recommendations of Standing Committee of NBWL are necessary along with the Environmental Clearances. (Annex A) ii. MoEF letter No. F. No.6-83/2010WL dated 28th May 2012 to STOP the work immediately. (Annex B) 5. Besides, the Hon'ble High Court of Sikkim, in its judgment in the anti Buddhist 97 MW Tashiding Hydro Electric Project (D.B. WP.(C) No. 22 of 2012) dated June 6, 2014 directed to decide on the question of eco- sensitive zones in accordance with law and the procedure prescribed in that behalf within a period of six months from the date of this judgment after affording the parties opportunity of hearing on all aspects including the religious aspect raised by the petitioners. 6. Hon'ble High Court has categorically accepted the fact that Rathong Chu is a sacred River. Giving name and calling Lodong Khola to holy Rathong Chu is a deliberate attempt to attack on Buddhist and Buddhism. 7. It is also opined in the Court's judgment that "Execution of works at site depends upon the Final Outcome of the writ petition", whereas the work at site is in war-footing. Project proponent seems to be above High Court and all prevailing laws of the land.

Hence this is submitted for your kind perusal in the interest of peace, harmony and security of the nation. "A Stitch in time saves nine." Thanking You.

Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Convenor Dated: July 22, 2015