J&K: Shared list of 1,600 workers in November 2024 for police verification, says Ratle project developer

Amid claims by the Jammu and Kashmir Police that 29 individuals working at the Ratle Hydropower Project were found to be involved in “subversive and anti-national activities,” the project developer on Saturday said it had shared details of around 1,600 workers with the police for verification in November last year, soon after the Kashmir tunnel attack.The statement comes against the backdrop of a recent political controversy in Kishtwar district, where a BJP MLA was accused of pressuring and allegedly threatening officials of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) to employ more local workers. The allegations were denied by the MLA and her party. BJP MLA Shagun Parihar had also alleged that the project had employed workers with links to militancy.The issue gained further traction after it emerged that Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar, Naresh Singh, had recently written to the Ratle project management stating that during police verification of workers at the site, 29 individuals were found to have involvement in “subversive and anti-national activities.”Amid the allegations and counter-allegations, a senior MEIL official said the company had proactively shared details of its workforce with the local police in November 2024 for background verification.According to the official, the communication dated November 27 was sent to the SSP, Kishtwar, after the district administration directed all project managements to ensure character and antecedent verification of workers.Harpal Singh, Chief Operating Officer of MEIL, said that following the October attack on the Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal, which claimed seven lives including that of a doctor, authorities asked project developers to submit details of their workforce for verification.“At that time, our workforce strength was over 1,600. We shared Aadhaar details, contact numbers and other relevant information of all workers with the police,” Singh said.He added that in November this year, the local police informed the company about 29 individuals “involved in subversive/ anti-national activities”.Singh said that on December 16, MEIL wrote to the SSP, Kishtwar, assuring full cooperation with the police. “We have assured that we will maintain close watch on such individuals, and if any worker is found involved in anti-national or anti-project activities, the matter will be promptly reported to the district police for necessary action,” he said.Despite the recent controversy, Singh said work at the project site continues without disruption. “Work is going on uninterrupted,” said Singh.The Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project, being constructed on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, has an installed capacity of 850 megawatts.

J&K: Shared list of 1,600 workers in November 2024 for police verification, says Ratle project developer

J&K Police had recently found 29 workers at the Ratle project involved in “subversive and anti-national activities”

Adil Akhzer

Our Correspondent

J&K: Shared list of 1,600 workers in November 2024 for police verification, says Ratle project developer

J&K Police had recently found 29 workers at the Ratle project involved in “subversive and anti-national activities”

Adil Akhzer

Our Correspondent

Unlock Premium Insights in This Article