Ramban, June 04: Hundreds of residents in Ramban district participated in a significant peaceful rally on Thursday, organized by the Sawalkakote Joint Action Committee (SJAC). The demonstration aimed to voice demands for justice, transparency, and the safeguarding of local interests concerning the proposed 1,856 MW Sawalkakote Hydroelectric Project.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the rally, considered one of the largest public mobilizations in the region recently, commenced from the Dak Bungalow and traversed through the main market areas of Ramban town. Protesters actively engaged in raising slogans and displaying placards, underscoring their concerns regarding fair compensation, securing employment opportunities for local youth, and ensuring the protection of rights for families impacted by the project.
Participants articulated their demands through slogans such as “Our Land, Our Rights, Our Future,” “Ramban Ki Majboori Hai, Sawalkakote Zaroori Hai,” “We Want Compensation as Per the Fair Compensation Act,” and “First Preference to Ramban Youth in Employment.” These expressions highlighted a collective desire for development that is equitable and considers the welfare of the local population.
Addressing a gathering of residents, SJAC President Advocate Fairoz Khan emphasized that the people of Ramban are not inherently opposed to development initiatives. However, he stressed the critical importance of protecting their fundamental rights and livelihoods. Advocate Khan asserted that local residents must be recognized as key stakeholders in the project and called for an open and transparent engagement process with all affected families.
The SJAC President further reiterated the demand for compensation to be disbursed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Compensation Act. He also urged the relevant authorities to prioritize employment for local youth within the framework of the project. Advocate Khan issued a warning, noting that while the current movement remained peaceful, it would be escalated if the legitimate concerns of the affected population were to be disregarded by the authorities.
The committee also conveyed its apprehension regarding the repeated extensions granted to the project’s tendering process. It was noted that the most recent deadline for submissions had reportedly been extended from its original date of June 4 to June 16, raising further questions among the local populace about the project’s timeline and transparency.
Several prominent members of the SJAC and representatives from the civil society addressed the rally, lending their support to the demands of the affected communities. Among those who spoke were Ali Shan, Sanjay Kumar, Rahi Manzoor, Mudasir Azmat, Sheetal Singh Bali, Abdul Rahim Bali, Tauseef Mir, Iftiyaz Shoil, Vakil Singh, Gulraz Ahmed, Masood Khan, Ravinder Singh, Mohd Yousuf, and Zakir Ahmed. Their collective voices reinforced the message of solidarity and shared purpose.
The rally concluded peacefully, with participants issuing an earnest appeal to the administration and the project authorities. They urged for the initiation of meaningful dialogue with local stakeholders and stressed the necessity of ensuring that the benefits derived from the development project ultimately serve the best interests of the people of Ramban.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
