Thousands of Joshimath inhabitants protest demanding closure of NTPC hydropower project holding it responsible for subsidence of the holy town
After the government not hearing to their woes after the massive subsidence of Joshimath with more than 900 houses developing cracks and hundreds of other structures leading to displacement of thousands of inhabitants, furious and angered thousands of Joshimath residents today protested in the holy town demanding immediate closure of the NTPC’s Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project and the Helang Marwadi Bypass including construction of prefabricated houses to house the displaced families initially, there after providing them adequate rehabilitation and payment of hefty financial compensation to the sufferers. Several geological scientists have already surveyed and assessed the sinking Joshimath situation and some are on the job but are not able to reveal the exact position thus keeping the five thousand affected families in complete jeopardy with their fate looming in unpredictability not knowing about their future.
The lack of decision making by the geological scientists and the government about the future of Joshimath and its inhabitants has indeed hung the fate of the victims under utter despair and confusion with hundreds of families, youths, old aged, women n men including children compelled to come on streets to raise their voice in unison holding play cards in their hands and raising slogans demanding justice.
Thousands of inhabitants of Joshimath holy town had gathered as per plans at the GIC Chowk, Badrinath Tri junction on 27 th January fully prepared in enthusiasm to confront anything that comes on their way including heavy police bandobast.
The demonstration commenced with traditional ” DHOL NAGAADAAS'” taking the shape of a peaceful demonstration raising slogans demanding immediate closure of the NTPC project and Helang Marwaadi Bypass under construction apart from other genuine demands.
The demonstration after covering entire town finally converged at the University grounds addressed by several leaders of Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samittee including comrades Atul Sati, Indresh Maikhuri, Block Pramukh Harish Parmar, president of Traders Sangh Nain Singh Bhandari, secy of Joshimath Sangharsh Samittee Kamal Raturi, treasurer Sanjay Uniyal n others.
Addressing the mammoth gathering Atul Sati while blaming the government authorities for being apathetic towards them said that nearly more than 20 days have elapsed but the officials concerned have not been able to make the assessment about number of houses having come under sinking effect and amount of financial compensation to be paid to them.
Terming the Uttarakhand chief minister as the weakest CM not a Dhakad CM as was being projected till now – Atul Sati said that the officers are busy in hobnobbing with the NTPC management brokering the deals and Joshimath town is sinking but the government of the state is least bothered to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation to the sufferers of the holy township.
Lauding the massive presence of thousands of women, men, youth n students of Joshimath expressing their solidarity to the cause Atul Sati said that our victory is certain.
The Nagar Palika chairman of Joshimath Shailendra Panwar in his address thanked the villagers, youths, students, men and women for making this protest demonstration a grand success and urged them to continue their support till their entire demands are met forth with.
On Republic Day, 26 January too – hundreds of Joshimath inhabitants had protested peacefully expressing their solidarity to the cause holding amd raising tri colour flags high showing their solidarity and allegiance with the constitutional norms and our sacred constitution including demanding closure of NTPC project and Helang Marwadi Highway thing them as the devil projects directly n solely responsible for massive subsidence in Joshimath.
