Luhri-affected Rampur residents block road

The people affected adversely by the Luhri hydel project today blocked road in Nithar area of Rampur in support of their demands. The protest was held on the call given by Himachal Kisan Sabha Luhri Hydro Project Affected Committee. Hundreds of farmers from Dehra, Nithar, Durah and Gadech Panchayat participated in this demonstration in support of their demands. The general secretary of the kisan sabha Devki Nand and vice-president Ranjit Thakur said that the Luhri hydel project authorities were not addressing the grievances of the project-affected families.

They lamented that the locals were suffering on many accounts due to the construction of the project. “The crops are suffering damage and cracks have appeared in people’s houses due to the construction activity. No compensation has been given to the affected families,” they said.

They said so far a survey of cracks developed in the houses has been done only in Dehra Panchayat but compensation had not been disbursed. In the remaining panchayats, the survey was yet to be undertaken. Compensation had not been given for the damage to crops due to the dust storm, they said.

The Kisan Sabha demanded that compensation be immediately given to residents of the affected areas where crop damage survey has been done, while survey in rest of the affected areas must be undertaken as soon as possible. They threatened to intensify the agitation in case their demands were not met.