Protesters blocks Karakoram Highway, demand promised compensation for Diamer Bhasha Dam
- In Reports
- 01:56 PM, Apr 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
According to Dawn, residents affected by the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam in Gilgit-Baltistan staged a protest by blocking the Karakoram Highway (KKH). They expressed frustration towards the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), accusing it of failing to fulfill its promise of compensating them for the land they had to vacate for the dam's construction.
The protesters demanded the release of pending payments owed to them as financial assistance before they vacated their homes, which were acquired for the Dasu hydropower project.
As a result, the action committee of the Diamer Bhasha Dam organised a sit-in protest and obstructed the Karakoram Highway, causing hundreds of vehicles to be stranded on both sides of the road at the Gechi area of Chilas in GB’s Diamer district.
According to Dawn, Diamer Deputy Commissioner (DC) Captain (retd) Muhammad Arif reported that the protesters had blocked the road, demanding their compensation payments pending with Wapda.
DC Arif stated that he engaged in negotiations with the demonstrators, assuring them that he would convey their message to the Wapda chairman and other relevant officials. He mentioned that the chairman's visit was anticipated the following week, but the protesters did not agree.
Furthermore, DC Arif mentioned that the road was briefly opened for half an hour, allowing stranded vehicles to pass the blockade. However, it was subsequently blocked again as the protesters insisted on the Wapda chairman meeting them at the sit-in site.
Atiullah and Muhammad Iqbal, the leaders of the sit-in, asserted that they would persist on the road until their demands were addressed, vowing to prolong their protest.
Iqbal highlighted that the affected individuals had been seeking Chula payments for an extended period, lamenting the lack of attention from both the administration and Wapda officials towards their grievances.
Furthermore, he stated that over 800 affected individuals were promised Chula payments in writing as compensation for their sacrificed lands, yet the government failed to fulfill this commitment, as reported by Dawn.
Passenger Muhammad Jamil, who was en route to Hunza Gilgit, reported that his children and family were stuck on the road for six hours.
Jamil added that they were eventually permitted to proceed after the protesters temporarily lifted the blockade, but were urged to depart promptly as the road was slated to be closed again.
Image source: ANI
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