#JUSTIN: Police Flag 29 Ratle Hydel Project Workers Over Terror & Criminal Links in J&K
Police reveal alarming militant connections among hydroelectric staff.
A recent police verification at the Ratle Hydroelectric Project in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district has uncovered significant security risks, with 29 employees identified as having ties to terrorism or criminal records. The Senior Superintendent of Police notified Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the company overseeing the 850 MW facility on the Chenab River, about these concerns in a letter dated November 1. This development has intensified scrutiny on vetting procedures for critical infrastructure in a region prone to security threats.
Among the flagged employees, five have direct family connections to active terrorists, overground workers, or former militants. For instance, one worker's uncle is a known Hizbul Mujahideen operative, while others have fathers listed as surrendered militants or overground workers in official records. The remaining 24 individuals face ongoing criminal charges unrelated to terrorism, raising broader questions about employment practices at sensitive sites.
The police communication emphasized the potential for these associations to jeopardize project security, urging MEIL to reassess the continued employment of the implicated staff. It also recommended vigilant monitoring and prompt reporting of any unusual activities, highlighting the vulnerability of hydroelectric installations to sabotage in the volatile area.
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In response, MEIL acknowledged the alert and pledged enhanced oversight of the employees in question. Harpal Singh, the company's Joint Chief Operating Officer in Kishtwar, stated that prior verifications had been conducted and that terminations could not proceed based solely on familial links or unproven allegations without legal convictions. The firm stressed adherence to due process in personnel matters.
The revelations have ignited political controversy, with BJP MLA Shagun Parihar from Kishtwar demanding the immediate dismissal of all affected workers. She argued that her previous criticisms of the hiring process were validated, accusing the company of favoring those with questionable backgrounds while laying off local laborers. MEIL countered by alleging interference from the MLA, including attempts to influence hiring, though she has refuted these claims amid disputes over recent worker retrenchments approved by labor authorities.
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