Shongtong project: Singha, Negi in fierce prestige battle

Kuldeep Chauhan 

Tribune News Service 

Shimla, July 22 

The dispute between the CITU-supported workers’ union and the INTUC-backed union has turned into a prestige battle between Kinnaur legislator and Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi and CPM leader Rakesh Singha. Both want their writ to run among workers employed for  the 450 mw Shongtong-Karcham power project that is being guarded by more than 200 policemen.

A fresh blame game has erupted between the two leaders with both parties using all resources at their command to “win” the battle.  The CPM and CITU are trying to spread wings in Kinnaur. But Kinnaur’s electorate has shifted allegiance over the years. The people are either with the Congress or the BJP.  CITU established its base in the then JP-run 1,000 mw Karhcham-Wangtoo project last year, much to the disappointment of the Congress-run INTUC as well as the Kinnaur legislator. 

The Deputy Speaker is now preparing to take CITU and CPM leader Singha head on. He accuses Singha of “ruining peace and law and order in Kinnaur.”

Ninety-five CITU-backed workers allegedly attacked Patel Engineering Company’s  bus carrying workers on July 15, resulting in injuries to 14. A case was registered under Section 307 of the IPC. “CITU is intimidating workers. The attackers have been shifted to Una and Bilaspur by the judicial officer,” said Negi. 

“Singha’s charge that I am protecting the private company because my brother is a sub-contractor is baseless,” he claimed. But CITU leaders allege that Negi is using the police to suppress the workers’ genuine demands.They cite the shifting of two police officers and a labour office from Kinnaur as proof of the same. “A majority of workers are on strike and 95 workers have been booked at Negi’s behest. Workers’ huts have been demolished by the company at his instance,” they claim. Zahur Zaidi, IG, said the law and order situation was under control and no untoward incident had taken place for the past four days.”The district administration has imposed Section 144 and it is being ensured that the prohibitory orders are not violated by workers at the project site,” he added.