The Uttarakhand movement for permanent capital at Gairsain, which began on Sept. 25, 2004 has completed one month. Fast unto death by Mrs. Bhubneshwari Devi Kathaith has entered the 12th day and her health is reported to be deteriorating.
In the meantime, amid unconfirmed reports, the police tried to take here away for medical check-up and forcing her to break her fast like the others in the last four weeks, the SDM was GHERAO’D by the activists who have gathered in large numbers at Garisain yesterday. The police had tough time to rescue the SDM.
Mrs. Debki Farswan is on 7th day of fasting. Dr. Uma Bhatt has been camping at Gairsain since Oct. 20, and was advised not to sit on fast again. The general feeling among the villagers is getting stronger where as the media is trying to fizzle out the tempo built during month long peaceful agitation.
As the national media highlighted in the newspapers here in New Delhi, Mr. N D Tewari is likely to be relieved by party supremo Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. He might be given lighter responsibility of a State Governor. Mr. Harish Rawat might replace him and hopefully the change of CM will really change the condition of the hill state.
The notable negligence of NDT Govt. could have made him lose his CM’s post. If you log on to soniagandhi.org and see the Guest book, you will find for yourself the kind of message left for the Congress high command. One can say for sure that the virtual people can also make a difference.
– Chandan Dangi
