Local residents of Api Himal Rural Municipality–3, 4, and 5 have begun a protest against Makrigad Hydropower Company Limited, which has completed construction of a 10-megawatt hydropower project in the area. The protest was launched with the demand that project-affected locals be provided shares, citing the need for direct economic benefits for communities impacted by the project.
As the company is preparing to issue shares, affected locals have accused it of creating a situation where they would be deprived of direct benefits. In response, residents formed the Makrigad Share Distribution Struggle Committee and submitted a memorandum to the hydropower company outlining their demands.
According to the memorandum signed by struggle committee coordinator Devendra Singh Rokaya, the company should provide free shares to economically weak and poor local residents and ensure that at least 80 percent of shares are allocated to citizens of the project-affected areas. The memorandum also includes demands for the construction of permanent retaining walls and embankments on roads affected by the project, development of necessary infrastructure, operation of drinking water projects in areas where water sources have dried up, and construction of new traditional water mills to replace those displaced by the hydropower project.
In addition, the locals have demanded the construction of school buildings in affected areas and the provision of essential equipment to basic health institutions. The struggle committee has warned that if the listed demands are not addressed within three days, they will be forced to shut down Makrigad Hydropower.
Meanwhile, the struggle committee has also submitted a memorandum to Api Himal Rural Municipality, urging coordination on issues related to share distribution and project management. While handing over the memorandum to Rural Municipality Chairperson Bhakta Singh Thekre Bohara, locals demanded that the municipality play an effective role in ensuring that affected residents receive the services and benefits they are entitled to.
This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. Translated with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
