SHILLONG, APR 17: Green Tech Foundation Secretary General Ritre Lyngdoh on Friday announced he would begin an indefinite hunger strike, hours after the GTF chairman was hospitalised following a 9-day hunger protest against the proposed tourism project and 60-year lease of Lumpongdeng Island. 

“The health of our chairman after 9 days of indefinite hunger strike has deteriorated very negatively and we have started to be concerned about his overall health, especially the negative effects that would be lifelong,” Lyngdoh told reporters. 

“And also, we are scared if our chairman becomes incapacitated due to this hunger strike, and on humanitarian grounds as the foundation, we have taken a decision and we also had requested him that he may be shifted to the nearest health centre.” 

Lyngdoh clarified the protest had not ended.

“As of now our chairman has not broken his hunger strike, neither he is being facilitated with anything that could say that it has broken his strike but even in the midst of medical treatment, he is still strong because he will continue his hunger strike from the medical facility whatever he is admitted.” 

Announcing his own strike, he said, “I as secretary general of GTF have taken a bold decision and a mature decision, knowing the repercussion of my decision will continue this peaceful demonstration and I have announce that I would be on an indefinite hunger strike from today until the government comes with a reply to us saying that they have completely scrapped, removed and revoked the agreement, the certificate of handing over and the lease agreement of the Lumpongdeng being part and parcel of the luxury Resort and Spa.” 

On the Chief Minister’s assurance of a white paper, Lyngdoh said, “The Chief Minister he is a minister of, I will assure you but nothing is sure about whatever he says.” 

Referring to a letter from the Tourism department, he added, “Yesterday, we have received a letter from the joint secretary in-charge tourism department, where they had clarified, that there will be no construction on Lumpongdeng Island but we would like to question and retaliate that clarification, if you have no construction at all, what about the lease deed that you have entered into, with Umiam Hotels Private Limited that last for about 60 years.” 

“It makes no sense, it is absurd, and it is stupid that the government would hand over a land without any purpose. The government has to come clean and it has come clean because this issue is no longer the issue of GTF, but it is the issue of the community of Meghalaya as whole,” he said. 

On talks with the government, Lyngdoh said, “Since day one, we have made very clear, if there is any formal communication for talks of resolutions, we are open but everything must be done in writing, formally communicated and we will attend such invitation for constructive decisions and constructive benefit of the entire community of Meghalaya.”