Uttarakhand Villagers Protest Against Hydel Project; Attempt Self-Immolation

The villagers were protesting against the forcible demolition of their homes near the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydel project site.

Villagers affected by the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydel project of THDC India on Friday allegedly attempted to immolate themselves in protest against the forcible demolition of their homes near the project site, police said. However, timely intervention by police averted any untoward incident, they said. The run-of-the-river hydel project is being built on the Alaknanda river by acquiring the land and homes of residents of Haat village near Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand's Chamoli under an agreement. Trouble began when a team sent by the local administration at the request of THDC India tried to demolish the homes of residents of Haat village.