Seeking relief, villagers near Malana project continue stir

The indefinite sit-in protest by residents of Chowki and Baladhi villages in Parbati valley outside the gate of the Malana hydel project powerhouse continued for the fifth day today.

The villagers have pitched up tents here and are sitting on protest. They said the company should compensate them for their losses due to the bursting of the barrage of the company on July 31. They added that the protest would continue till their demands were met.

Bhagat Singh Thakur, head of the Mahadev Yuvak Mandal Chowki, said the villagers were adamant about their demands and were not ready to back down. He said, “The company has not yet paid heed to the villagers’ demands. If their demands continue to be ignored, they will not back down from intensifying their movement.”

Meanwhile, Kullu SDM Vikas Shukla tried to pacify the protesters. Sources said after the mediation of the administration, there was the possibility of talks between the villagers and the company management. The villagers are demanding compensation for their damaged crops, fruits, trees, agricultural land and houses and adequate safety measures.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Shera Negi said now the company management was talking about removing the locals engaged in the company. He said, “The local people working in the company have nothing to fear. If the company takes such a step, a more aggressive movement will be carried out against the company.”

A villager, Khushal Singh, said a delegation of villagers met Kullu Deputy Commissioner and ADM, but they got only assurances from them in this regard. He alleged that the dam of the company was still damaged, but it was running the project without permission, compromising their safety. He said, “The administration has been urged to direct the company management to stop operations till the project is fully repaired.”

Caption: Villagers hold a sit-in protest outside the Malana hydel project in Parbati Valley of Kullu.