“Save Kinnaur, save Himachal” is a political war cry that has been echoing in this tribal belt these days. The campaign has been launched by the Himlok Jagriti Manch (HJM), Kinnaur, an NGO of intellectuals from the area. The NGO has come out with 28 questions for parties like the Congress and the BJP.

People’s representatives have failed to protect rights of the tribal people as they continue to play to the tunes of private companies, residents of the area say.

The JP company that is undertaking the Karcham-Wangtoo and Baspa hydel projects in the area has wreaked havoc on environment. The 22-km stretch of the river had been plunder for minerals etc., said convener of the manch Ranjit Singh Negi, a retired bureaucrat.

“We have posed several questions to the Congress and the BJP, but these parties have remained silent on these issues so far,” Negi said. “Those affected by these projects are not getting preference in getting employment,” he added. Villagers said the district administration was not putting in place a proper policy for their rehabilitation. There was no provision of “corporate accountability and responsibility” of private companies, they said.

“Future of tribal people is at stake as the JP company and its contractors are violating tribal norms and laws. Several villages between Karcham and Wangtoo are facing water shortage due to destruction of waters sources,” Negi said.

On the other hand, private companies had been maintaining that they were honouring all commitments as per the MOUs signed with the government.

Former Congress MLA Jagat Singh Negi blamed the present BJP regime for its alleged failure to implement the commitments made in the MoUs as the present BJP MLA was playing in the hands of private companies. “All schemes started by Virbhadra Singh have come to a stand still. All development works in Kinnaur are gifts of the Congress,” he claimed.

BJP MLA Tejwant Negi said, “We are addressing problems of project-affected people and giving them their due.”

Onkar Shad of the CPM said, “We are fighting for the implementation of the Tribal Right Holders Act, 2006, so that tribal people can get their due under its provisions.”