People of North Sikkim file FIR against state owned Teesta Urja Pvt Ltd

The people of Chungthang in North Sikkim who have been devastated by the recent floods, have filed an FIR against Sikkim government owned Teesta Urja Private Limited, now known as Sikkim Urja Limited.

Though the reason behind the floods have been attributed to a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in the Teesta river basin, the affected people feel that gross negligence of the Sikkim Urja Pvt Ltd, which is operating the 1200 MW Teesta hydroelectric Project Stage III, had led to the catastrophe.

Seeking justice and action against those guilty, the affected people in Chungthang have filed a complaint with the North Sikkim police urging necessary action to be initiated against those who are found guilty.

In the FIR, the complainants alleged, “the unwarranted delay in opening the gates of the dam as well as the failure to take proactive measures to manage the situation effectively, has exacerbated the scale of disaster. This led to irreversible damage and loss for numerous affected individuals and families residing in the vicinity of Chungthang Bazar, North Sikkim.”

The citizens in Chungthang have also urged authorities to consider the long-term environmental consequences resulting from the disaster.

“The ecological damage caused by the negligence in opening the gates in the time of bursting of the South Lhonak Lake, demands immediate attention and sustainable measures to restore the affected ecosystem,” the complainants also mentioned in the FIR.

Apprehensive of what has already happened, the citizens demanded that the Teesta power project Stage III dam should not be constructed again.

“We are united in our belief that rebuilding the dam is not a safe option for us. Right now, our top priority is ensuring the safety and security of our community. It’s crucial that we carefully assess all potential risks and actively involve the local residents in any future development plans. So, stop the reconstruction of the dam in Chungthang again.”

On October 4, nobody had even imagined that within seconds gushing waters would wash away their homes, cars and everything whatever came in its way.

The flash floods have had a devastating impact, with at least 52 lives lost, over 140 people still missing, and more than 41,000 individuals affected, marking it one of the worst disasters to hit the Himalayan state in recent years.

Sikkim Urja Limited is a state government enterprise. Sikkim government holds 60% stake through its investment company Sikkim Power Investment Corporation Limited. The remaining shares are owned by private investors.