Anti-Pak protest in PoK over construction of Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project

Muzaffarabad [Pakistan], Jan 11 (ANI): A large number of local residents and political activists carried out massive protests on Friday against the construction of Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The protest was organised by the United Kashmir National Students Organisation, the student wing of the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP).
The demonstrators raised slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), demanding an immediate ban on the construction of the power project on rivers - the prime source of water in the region.
Locals allege that Pakistan has deprived them of basic needs, including water.
During the protest, one of the activists said that Pakistan was enjoying the benefits of electricity being generated in the region, while the surcharge was being paid by people of PoK. Dams were being constructed on their lands; still they were the ones facing a water crisis.
"This is our water, it is our right and we will fight for our right. If the matter doesn’t get solved through mutual understanding, we know the other way out,” he added.
Another activist, while attacking Pakistan's judiciary, said: “If a project creates a problem for Pakistan, it immediately asks for its closure. But today, when it is the question of survival of lakhs of people living in PoK, then they are just turning a blind eye.”
He further stated that the people of PoK will not sit quietly and will continue their fight for justice.
Of late, a massive water crisis has emerged in PoK, which has either rendered people homeless or forced them to live in uninhabitable conditions.
Apprehensive of serious ecological changes in the region, people are demanding an immediate retraction of Pakistan’s plans to construct more dams on Neelum and Jhelum rivers. (ANI)