Darjeeling, Aug. 31 -- With three years having passed since the devastating flash floods and no rehabilitation in sight, the Teesta Sangrakshan Mancha (TSM), an outfit comprising residents mainly affected by the Teesta floods, has called for a bandh in the Teesta Bazar area in the Kalimpong district, including the State Highway passing through the area, on September 14, in protest. They have further warned of an extensive agitation if their pleas fall on deaf ears.
The TSM held a protest rally from Teesta Bazar to Teesta Bridge on Monday, demanding speedy rehabilitation of the Teesta flood victims.
"More than three years have passed since the Teesta flash flood of October 4, 2023, yet we are still waiting for rehabilitation and compensation," TSM president Madan Chettri told Millennium Post.
The TSM has a three-point charter of demands, which includes compensation, rehabilitation and protection walls to be built on the banks of the Teesta. "Nothing has happened in three years. Initially there was a survey conducted that was unsatisfactory. A re-survey took place monitored by the district administration, NHPC and the land reforms department. 116 houses were to be built," he said.
A Detailed Project Report was also prepared by the Irrigation department of the GTA that was handed over to the Disaster Management department. "Recently, when we had enquired about the progress, they stated that the project was in the finance department for sanctions. That is the last we had heard of it. Nothing has moved till now. If this continues, we will be compelled to beef up our agitation. We have called for a bandh at Teesta Bazar on September 14," stated Chettri.
Teesta Bazar was badly affected by the flash flood in the Teesta River triggered by a glacial lake outburst in North Sikkim on October 4, 2023. Many lives were lost, families were displaced, houses were damaged and livelihoods were lost.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.