Demonstration demanding to stop construction of Upper Tamor hydropower project

Shrawn 2, 2082

Ananda Gautam

Demonstration demanding to stop construction of Upper Tamor hydropower project

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Locals protested demanding an immediate stop to the construction of the Upper Tamor hydropower project. Residents of the affected area formed a struggle committee and demonstrated at the construction site on Friday.

They have previously drawn the attention of the government through the construction company and the chief district officer, demanding that the project not be built as it is the hub of the Yakthung (Limbu) community. The residents of the affected area have been protesting since Friday saying that the forced construction of the project has been started. 

The residents of the affected area have formed the Upper Tamor Hydropower Affected Struggle Committee. "Since the construction has not started, we have drawn the attention of the local government along with the concerned local bodies," he said, "Now that the project is forced, there is no option to protest."   

Shri Prasad Linkhim, another member of the Sangharsh Committee, says that the work is damaging the existence of Mundhum Sthal. "We have been persuading them not to go ahead with the work everywhere, submitted memorandums, attention letters, but after being forced by the armed police, we were forced to start a protest," Linkhim said. 

Demonstration demanding to stop construction of Upper Tamor hydropower project

Addressing the corner assembly organized after the protest on Friday, Linkhim came to the construction site five times and protested, but now we are protesting strongly. He said that the project cannot be done by oppressing the locals. 

He warned that if the construction work continues even now, the nature of the peaceful movement will change. He claims that the project and the government should take responsibility for the damage caused by this. 

He also accused them of destroying the graves of the Limbu community and encroaching on the Mundhumi site. He argued that since the Mundhum area of the Yakthung community, such projects should not be made without the consent of the community. Chairman Birbal claims that they had to agitate for the protection of the Mundhum site as the original civilization and culture would be destroyed. 

The demonstration was held in Sisne of Paktanglung Rural Municipality-3 Linkhim. Tamor Energy Pvt Ltd has taken the permission to produce 285 megawatts of electricity from Tamor river and has proceeded with the work. Before this, discussions were held several times in the district administration office. Security personnel have been mobilized at the construction site after there was no agreement.  

Ananda

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