Bandipora, July 26: Newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs in this north Kashmir district on Tuesday threatened to launch an indefinite agitation against the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), which is executing the 390 MW Kishen Ganga Hydro Electric Power Project (KGHEPP) here.
 In a written complaint cum ultimatum submitted to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora and Superintendent of Police, Sarpanchs and Panchs have alleged that HCC had not employed locals in projects and it has disturbed the environment and ecology by using heavy machinery.
 Sarpanchs and Panchs have warned that they will not act as mute spectators if the Government goes ahead with its ambitious plan of constructing Power project amid the extent of possible adverse impact on the densely populated areas in Bandipore.
 They have gathered under the banner of the Bandipora Labour Union to seek the justice and development of the area affected by the project and its running machinery.
 “The HCC has acquired over 900 kanals of land in various villages of Bandipora like Mantrigam, Kralpora, Harteng, Sonarwani,Pethkoot, Yali, Chandaji and Herpora, but the government is yet to pay compensation to the  affected villagers, besides it has paid no heed to the development of the area where the roads have got damaged due to heavy machinery,” the complaint states.  
 Ghulam Rasool Malik heading the Sarpanchs and Panchs said that over dozens of houses have developed cracks. “We need a sustained water supply, suitable compensation and employment for our people in the project,” he demanded. 
 He said that HCC has preferred non local drivers, technicians and other skilled and unskilled workers over locals.
 “We have got compensation at the rate of Rs 3 lakh per kanal, while the people in Gurez managed to get Rs 6 lakhs per kanal besides the fact that the land in Bandipora is more fertile and cultivable than Gurez” claimed Malik. “The Government should pay Rs 10 lakh per kanal for the cultivable land in Bandipore.”
 Showing concern over the nascent pollution and environmental degradation ex-Planning Minster and Congress Leader Usman Majeed said that construction of the power project in Bandipora has badly  hit the people. “It has badly affected the life, health, business and socio cultural aspects of life in the area,” he added.
 “Even the muck and dirt of the Kishan Ganga Power project are polluting forests and River Madhumati, a home to the famous trout fishes, our forest habitats are in danger now,” Majeed said.
 He said the issues raised by the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs are genuine.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST