SHILLONG, APR 20: The Green Tech Foundation (GTF) on Monday called off its 12-day indefinite hunger strike after the state government decided to exclude Lumpongdeng Island from the Taj resort and spa project in Umiam.

“Today marked the end of our indefinite hunger strike since the government of Meghalaya has ceded to our demands,” GTF Secretary General Ritre Lyngdoh said.

“All of this is not the power of the Green Tech Foundation (GTF), it is not the power of the public or anybody but it is mercy and graciousness of God Almighty,” he added.

Lyngdoh said the government had met the group’s core demand. “Thankful to the government of Meghalaya, they have made it very particularly in consonance with our demand that Lumpongdeng Island is excluded from the luxury resort and spa project.”

He, however, criticized the administration for the delay saying, “This is the most inhumane government that Meghalaya has witnessed. 12 long days and 12 long nights for them to get on their knees.”

“The government, although we have anticipated that it would collapse after the hospitalization of our chairman, but today mark my words the 20th April, the NPP-led MDA government has now trembled in fear,” he said.

On the group’s objective, Lyngdoh said, “As the Green Tech Foundation took the forefront to raise the green ethics and the sensitive of Lumpongdeng Island as eco-fragile system, we have achieved our goal this evening. However, the scam that we have exposed alongside environmental issues is still at large and yet to be addressed.”

He urged other organisations to pursue related concerns.

“For the other subject matters that relates to this very issue, we leave it to the other organizations to take up the matter diligently, committedly and sincerely so that the whole world globally acknowledges that Ri Khasi is based on foundational principles,” he said.

Lyngdoh said the GTF would share documents it has obtained.

“As per RTIs we received, any organization, any group or any individual who are interested to follow up with other issues that involves corruption, political nexus between politicians and corporates, the nexus between corrupt assistant with so-called high levels and the manner in which there is a big failure in state machinery, everyone who is concern, who is interested, we are ready to share with you what we called the ‘Lumpongdeng Files’,” he said.

Asked whether the group would approach the Lokayukta on corruption, he said, “Because we are an environmental NGO, whoever is interested to pursue this issue, we are open to share the files with anybody else.”