Ishfaq gulzar cni
Uri, CNI: The Association of Project-Affected Families of Uri expresses deep concern over the continued neglect and apathy shown toward families affected by the NHPC-II Project. For the past four months, the affected families have been holding a peaceful protest at Salamabad, Uri, demanding justice, transparency, and redressal of their long-pending grievances. Despite the prolonged nature of this protest and the patience demonstrated by the affected people, not a single representative from the elected government or the district administration has visited the protest site or made any sincere effort to listen to their concerns.

For the last four months, the affected families have remained seated at the protest site, enduring harsh weather conditions, severe financial hardship, and immense emotional distress. Their pain, suffering, and genuine issues continue to be ignored. Unfortunately, the Association was also not allowed to carry out a peaceful protest at the Press Colony, Srinagar.
The voices of these families are being systematically silenced, and there appears to be no authority willing to take responsibility or initiate meaningful dialogue. This continued silence from the government has further deepened the sense of injustice among the affected people.

The protesters stated that: “Since we have been sitting at Salamabad for the past four months without receiving any response from the authorities, we decided to take our protest to the Press Colony, Srinagar, so that our voices could reach the media and the wider public. Unfortunately, the Association was not allowed to carry out a peaceful protest at the Press Colony. We have been protesting peacefully for months, yet no one has come forward to listen to us. Our grievances are not being addressed at any level. Our only demand from the government is that our grievances be addressed in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner.”

Speaking on behalf of the Association, Owais Ahmad highlighted serious discrimination and inequality in the distribution of project-related benefits. According to the affected families, nearly 20 families are reportedly receiving double or even triple benefits, while a large number of genuinely affected families have been completely deprived of any benefits. This unequal treatment has created deep resentment and mistrust among the affected population and raises serious questions about transparency and fairness in the implementation of rehabilitation and compensation policies.

Advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar, Social Activist and RTI Activist, further stated: “People have been sitting in protest for the past four months, but the administration is neither listening to us nor acknowledging our concerns. People have sacrificed their lands and livelihoods for the NHPC project. We earnestly request the elected government to take serious notice of this matter and address our grievances without further delay.”

The Association of Project-Affected Families of Uri urges the government, concerned departments, and oversight agencies to take immediate cognizance of this serious matter. A transparent and impartial inquiry must be initiated without further delay, accountability must be ensured, and justice must be delivered to all affected families without any form of discrimination. (CNI)