The National Conference on Saturday questioned the silence of Power Minister Sunil Kumar Sharma, who is also the MLA from Kishtwar, over the issue of ongoing 45-day-long hunger strike by the people of Marwah over the proposed construction of 1200 MW Budsar Power Project.
Addressing a press conference at Dak Banglow here, NC Vice President Ghulam Rasool Magrey said, “It is a matter of disappointment that everyone in government and the administration, including the local MLA who is now the Power Minister, have shown callous approach towards concern of the local masses. The people have been continuously protesting against the construction of Budsar Power Project, as due to construction of the project, most of the populated areas of Marwah are going to be submerged.”
Magrey said that the youth of Marwah have been on a hunger strike since April 5, demanding written assurances and guarantee from the government as well as from the administration over safeguarding the rights of the people, who are being displaced on the name of the power project.
He said that the people of Marwah are not against the construction of the power project, but not at the cost of mass scale displacement from the area. “The power Minister did not even bother to visit the area where the people are up in arms against the construction of the project. Nobody has given us written assurances, nor does anyone tell us the truth about the areas being submerged. It is a question of more than 35000 people, who are ready to lay down their lives, but not willing to give an inch of their land till the authorities clarify the exact position,” he said.
He said that the area falls under Sesimic Zone IV and is earthquake prone, adding that if the government decides to go ahead with construction of the power project, it will be a disaster for the entire area.
He further said that they have also moved to the High Court, but due to non availability of a bench, the same is being delayed, adding that once the bench will be available in the High Court, the people are hopeful that the Court will come to their rescue.
NC District Youth President Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Dev, Khalid Mir along with other party functionary accompanied the party Vice President during the press conference.