Uri NHPC-II affected families protest for four months, allege official apathy
Uri, Jan 14: The Association of Project-Affected Families of Uri on Wednesday expressed serious concern over what it described as continued neglect and apathy towards families affected by the NHPC Uri-II Project, stating that their long-pending grievances have remained unaddressed despite a four-month-long peaceful protest.
The affected families have been staging a sit-in protest at Salamabad in Uri for the past four months, demanding justice, transparency, and redressal of issues related to compensation and rehabilitation. The Association said that despite the prolonged protest and the patience shown by the affected people, no representative from the elected government or the district administration has visited the protest site or initiated dialogue.
According to the Association, the protesters have been enduring harsh weather conditions, severe financial hardship, and emotional distress.
The protesters said that after receiving no response from the authorities in Salamabad, they decided to take their protest to Srinagar to bring their issues to the attention of the media and the public. However, they were not permitted to protest there either. They reiterated that their only demand is a fair, transparent, and time-bound resolution of their grievances.
Speaking on behalf of the Association, Owais Ahmad alleged serious discrimination in the distribution of NHPC-II project benefits. He claimed that nearly 20 families are receiving double or even triple benefits, while many genuinely affected families have been deprived of any compensation or rehabilitation support, creating resentment and mistrust among the affected population.
Social activist and RTI activist Advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar said people have sacrificed their land and livelihoods for the NHPC project, yet the administration has failed to acknowledge their concerns. He demanded a proper, transparent, and impartial inquiry into the distribution of benefits under the Uri-II Project, stating that if the probe finds the protest unjustified, the families are ready to call it off.
The Association urged the government and concerned departments to take immediate cognizance of the matter, initiate a transparent inquiry, ensure accountability, and deliver justice to all affected families without discrimination. [KNT]
