Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Sept 25: Threatening to intensify agitation against the hydel power construction companies executing work on prestigious Pakal Dul project in Kishtwar, Member Legislative Council Firdous Tak today said that PDP can not be mute spectator to the injustice and will fight for the common cause of public.
“NHPC and CVPP are exploiting the local resources and constructing power projects which are sure to create ecological and biological havoc in Chenab Valley. But the two companies are bringing people from outside the State to take management and technical posts, while the local residents have been forced to take to street even to get menial jobs”, Tak said.
He was addressing a public rally here during the protest demonstration organised against the power construction companies. Normal life was affected following series of protest demonstrations across the township.
The call was supported by Unemployed Engineers Association, Chenab Valley Hydel Project Workers Union, Young Contactors Association, Kissan Mazdoor Union, Land Oustees of Dul Hasti Union, Sadar Mazdoor Union, Dam Cancellation Committee Marwah, Power Affected People Union Dachan and various social organisations.
Tak said that today’s protest was beginning of a struggle by Kishtwar residents who have been pushed to wall by the companies earning crores in Chenab region. “The NHPC, CVPP, JKPDC have projected these power projects as an opportunity for economic upliftment but the promises are proving to be hoax”, he said adding that it was unfortunate the unemployed youth are today forced to sit on the roads to get even daily wage works.
He said that the residents of Dachan have been duped and paid peanuts as land compensation. Similarly, the people of Marwah are demanding cancellation of proposed Bursur project but the Union Government seems to be unmoved.
District PDP president Sheikh Nasir Hussain said that youth of Kishtwar are most technically qualified and experienced in the power project construction but today when the project is being constructed in their backyard they are denied jobs for political reasons. He warned that in case the companies did not desis from its practice PDP will intensify its agitation across the Chenab region.
Umar Malik, Ishtiaq Hussain Waza, Atul Mahajan and Wasil Doolwal also spoke on the occasion.
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