Farmers stage protest over unmet demands
Farmers from the villages affected by the 210-MW Luhri Hydro Project staged a protest outside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Rampur today. Farmers from the Delath, Neerath, Karangla, and Badach panchayats participated in the demonstration.
The protest was addressed by Krishan Rana, president of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, along with Prem Chauhan and Ranjeet. They said the farmers from the affected areas had been fighting for their demands for a long time and have repeatedly submitted memorandums to the administration. A written agreement on these demands was reached on May 9, 2024.
As per the agreement, the administration had committed to conducting a survey by July 20 to assess crop losses caused by the project’s construction and to evaluate the damage to houses due to blasting by August 1. However, the surveys in Badach and Karangla panchayats are yet to be conducted, causing significant resentment among the farmers.
The speakers noted that despite multiple meetings with the administration, no action has been taken to survey the crop damage caused by dust or to evaluate cracks in houses resulting from blasting. They warned that if the administration fails to address these demands promptly, the Himachal Kisan Sabha will intensify its agitation, holding the administration accountable for any consequences.
