GANGTOK, MAY 11: More than hundred people, including monks, protested what they see as unauthorized excavation works begun on Rumtek Monastery’s land holdings here along NH 31A at Namli under Tumlabong gram panchayat unit in East Sikkim. The protest was led by Old Rumtek Monastery Managing Committee [ORMMC].
It may be recalled that land measuring 7.74 acres was leased to a Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company, Alembic Pvt Ltd by the Deuchi [a monk body of the Old Rumtek Monastery] for Rs 4.15 crores for 99 years in 2007.
Committee president, Karma Tshering Bhutia alleged that the said deal is now under a judicial probe, and argued today that the pharmaceutical company had started the excavation work breaching the High Court’s order. “We have gathered to oppose and stop the preliminary excavation work” he added.
According to the Committee members, the Sikkim High Court in its recent judgment has directed both the parties [the Pharma Company and ORMMC] to approach the appropriate forum to resolve the matter.
Members further expressed that when there has not been a hearing on the issue, how could the company begin excavation woks? They alleged that it was a total violation of the court’s order and, they added, there was a written document issued during Chogyal’s regime that the no one can sell the land under the Old Rumtek Monastery.
The members had raised an objection to the excavation which reportedly began last Sunday and filed an FIR against the contractor at Ranipool Police Station.
“The contractor was unable to show us the work order of the contract awarded to him by the company, so we have filed a report in the police station against the contractor for starting the work illegally,” general secretary of the committee, Rinzing Bhutia informed.
He added that the committee also wants stringent action from the state government against the officials who cleared the now-challenged registration of the land in the company’s name despite the written objections raised by sixteen individuals in 2008. It is informed that later the government had again de-registered the land citing official errors and de-registration was then challenged by Alembic company in the Sikkim High Court.
They informed that they are now planning to file a case at District Court in Gangtok on the matter. The monks and people of thirteen monasteries under Old Rumtek Monastery registered their protest today.
It may be recalled that land measuring 7.74 acres was leased to a Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company, Alembic Pvt Ltd by the Deuchi [a monk body of the Old Rumtek Monastery] for Rs 4.15 crores for 99 years in 2007.
Committee president, Karma Tshering Bhutia alleged that the said deal is now under a judicial probe, and argued today that the pharmaceutical company had started the excavation work breaching the High Court’s order. “We have gathered to oppose and stop the preliminary excavation work” he added.
According to the Committee members, the Sikkim High Court in its recent judgment has directed both the parties [the Pharma Company and ORMMC] to approach the appropriate forum to resolve the matter.
Members further expressed that when there has not been a hearing on the issue, how could the company begin excavation woks? They alleged that it was a total violation of the court’s order and, they added, there was a written document issued during Chogyal’s regime that the no one can sell the land under the Old Rumtek Monastery.
The members had raised an objection to the excavation which reportedly began last Sunday and filed an FIR against the contractor at Ranipool Police Station.
“The contractor was unable to show us the work order of the contract awarded to him by the company, so we have filed a report in the police station against the contractor for starting the work illegally,” general secretary of the committee, Rinzing Bhutia informed.
He added that the committee also wants stringent action from the state government against the officials who cleared the now-challenged registration of the land in the company’s name despite the written objections raised by sixteen individuals in 2008. It is informed that later the government had again de-registered the land citing official errors and de-registration was then challenged by Alembic company in the Sikkim High Court.
They informed that they are now planning to file a case at District Court in Gangtok on the matter. The monks and people of thirteen monasteries under Old Rumtek Monastery registered their protest today.
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