NEW DELHI: The people affected by the Gilgit-Baltistan‘s Diamer Bhasha Dam blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) on Wednesday in protest against the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). They claim Wapda failed to fulfill its promise of compensating them for relinquishing their lands for the dam’s construction, as reported by The Dawn.
The protesters were demanding the pending payments entitled to them as financial assistance before departing from their homes, which were acquired for the Dasu hydropower project.
Subsequently, the action committee of the Diamer Bhasha Dam organized a sit-in protest, blocking the KKH at the Gechi area of Chilas in GB’s Diamer district. This action stranded hundreds of vehicles on both sides of the road.
According to Dawn, Diamer Deputy Commissioner (DC) Captain (retd) Muhammad Arif said that the protesters blocked the road, demanding their compensation payments pending with Wapda.
He mentioned holding negotiations with the demonstrators, assuring them that he would relay their message to the Wapda chairman and other relevant officials. Although the chairman’s visit was anticipated next week, the protesters did not agree to this arrangement.
DC Arif added that the road was briefly opened for half an hour, allowing stranded vehicles to pass the blockade. However, the road 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 ongoing sit-in, have vowed to stay put on the road until their demands are addressed. They insist that the affected individuals have long been seeking Chula payments, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears of the authorities and Wapda officials.
The affectees, who have made significant sacrifices by giving up their lands, are frustrated that the government has failed to fulfill its promise of Chula payments to more than 800 people, as reported by Dawn.
The protest has caused disruptions for travelers commuting between Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad, leaving many stranded. Muhammad Jamil, a passenger heading to Hunza Gilgit, shared that their families and children were stuck on the road for six hours. Only after the protesters cleared the road were they able to continue their journey, albeit briefly, as the road had to be obstructed again.
(With inputs from agencies)
The protesters were demanding the pending payments entitled to them as financial assistance before departing from their homes, which were acquired for the Dasu hydropower project.
Subsequently, the action committee of the Diamer Bhasha Dam organized a sit-in protest, blocking the KKH at the Gechi area of Chilas in GB’s Diamer district. This action stranded hundreds of vehicles on both sides of the road.
According to Dawn, Diamer Deputy Commissioner (DC) Captain (retd) Muhammad Arif said that the protesters blocked the road, demanding their compensation payments pending with Wapda.
He mentioned holding negotiations with the demonstrators, assuring them that he would relay their message to the Wapda chairman and other relevant officials. Although the chairman’s visit was anticipated next week, the protesters did not agree to this arrangement.
DC Arif added that the road was briefly opened for half an hour, allowing stranded vehicles to pass the blockade. However, the road 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 ongoing sit-in, have vowed to stay put on the road until their demands are addressed. They insist that the affected individuals have long been seeking Chula payments, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears of the authorities and Wapda officials.
The affectees, who have made significant sacrifices by giving up their lands, are frustrated that the government has failed to fulfill its promise of Chula payments to more than 800 people, as reported by Dawn.
The protest has caused disruptions for travelers commuting between Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad, leaving many stranded. Muhammad Jamil, a passenger heading to Hunza Gilgit, shared that their families and children were stuck on the road for six hours. Only after the protesters cleared the road were they able to continue their journey, albeit briefly, as the road had to be obstructed again.
(With inputs from agencies)
