Protests Held in Joshimath against Government Apathy

CPIML and AISA held protests in many towns of Uttarakhand condemning central and state governments’ whose pro-corporate policies of promoting big dams and big construction projects which have resulted into a disaster now taking place in Joshimath town in Himalayas. The CPIML has consistently been raising the issue of environmental dangers inherent in the Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro-electric Power Project being built near Joshimath town for almost two decades, demanding scrapping of the entire project. Now the party has reiterated the same demand along with the following demands:

1. Scrap Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro-electric Power Project immediately.
2. Scrap all projects involving construction of big dams and other huge constructions like Char Dham Project.
3. Scrap building Helang-Marwadi bypass project near Joshimath.
4. The NTPC, the builder of Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro-electric Power Project must be forced to implement its own agreement of 2010 which categorically stated mandatory insurance of houses and buildings in the region.
5. Institute an empowered high level committee, by including the members of Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, for deciding the time-bound permanent replacement and perfect rehabilitation of Joshimath town and its every resident after an assessment of lands, houses and other properties at prevailing market rates. The rehabilitation must consider the present social and economic status and importance of Joshimath town.
6. Form a coordination committee for providing immediate help including shelter, food, medical and other requirements. This committee must have representation of local people.
7. The government must provide a response and take action on the various memorandums and complaints submitted from time to time during previous years on this subject by concerned citizens, activists and CPIML.
8. The government must take punitive action against officials in the administration and in the NTPC whose deliberate negligence has caused such an immense man-made calamity in spite of repeated warnings and complaints.

CPIML Uttarakhand state secretary Raja Bahuguna has demanded an immediate intervention by central government to carry out the relief and rehabilitation operations on a war footing  by co-ordinating directly with the Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti. The BJP led state government has completely failed on every count to save people of Joshimath.

The protests were held at Haldwani, Ramnagar and other towns by the CPIML and AISA and various other organisations.