TEHRI, November 5: Eminent environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna entered 35th day of what he calls his ``fast and prayer'' to highlight dangers of ongoing Tehri dam project in its present form posing threat to lives of millions.''``It is like daylight murder of democracy and justice to keep the nation in the dark about issues associated with the Tehri dam project for such a long time,'' Bahuguna told PTI today.

The 72-year-old Chipko leader, who started his latest fast, fourth in a series since 1992, on October two last, said ``for me this is also a form of repentance, because on June 25, 1996, the then prime minister H D Deve Gowda, the highest representative of Government, had in the presence of many eminent personalities promised an independent review of the problems associated with the project within three months as also solutions to them.''

Bahuguna alleged that Deve Gowda had failed to keep promises made to him on 72nd day of his fast last year. ``Mr Gowda had identified himself with my concern about the dying Himalayas for which I had urged a policy based on national consensus.''

He said he waited with patience but when on December 14, last year, Gowda went back on his promise to make the ``rehabilitation and environment committee'' set up in the aftermath of his last year's fast independent, ``the deceptive designs of State were exposed.''

Bahuguna and other environmentalists have been demanding a review of the project by independent experts for long.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.