Shillong, April 15: The Green Tech Foundation (GTF) has announced that its indefinite hunger strike will continue after talks with the Tourism Department ended without any resolution.
GTF Chairman H. Bansiewdor Nonglang said the decision was taken following a meeting between representatives of the Foundation and Director of Tourism, B.L. Pakyntein, which failed to yield any positive outcome. The meeting was convened after the protest entered its seventh day at Malki ground.
According to Nonglang, the Tourism Director informed the delegation that the government would not be able to cancel the lease of Lumpongdeng Island granted to Umiam Hotels Private Limited.
Following the meeting, Nonglang stated that the Foundation would not withdraw its protest and that the hunger strike would intensify in the coming days. He asserted that the group would not compromise or back down from its demands and would continue its agitation until the government revokes the project.
He further said that the leadership of the Foundation remains firm in its stand and will continue the movement with greater determination, supported by the people. Nonglang also criticized the decision, alleging that priority was being given to outside entities over local interests.
Earlier in the day, a doctor examined Nonglang and reportedly advised immediate hospitalization due to his deteriorating health condition. However, the GTF chairman refused the advice and maintained that he would continue the hunger strike at Malki ground.
As his condition weakened due to the prolonged fast, which entered its seventh day on April 15, doctors administered intravenous fluids (IV) at the protest site to stabilise him. Despite this, Nonglang remained steadfast in his stand, continuing the hunger strike while demanding that the government revoke the agreement handing over the Lumpongdeng project to Umiam Hotels Private Limited.
