CM orders inquiry into Karcham Wangtoo firing

Shimla, Dec 21 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today ordered an inquiry into the firing incident at Wangtoo in Kinnuar district of the state on December 13 and said strict action will be taken against people responsible for it.

''The government will sympathetically consider withdrawing of cases registered against the local people besides withdrawing the prohibitory orders imposed around the project area,'' he told a delegation of the Karcham Wangtoo Sangharsh Samiti that called uopn him here.

Several people, including a few policemen, were injured after police fired several rounds in the air, lobbed tear gas shells and baton-charged people, protesting the setting up of the 1,000 MW Karcham Wangtoo hydel project in the district on December nine.

Assuring the delegation that the interests of the affected people were safe in the hands of the state government, Mr Singh said all the provisions of the agreement should be implemented in letter and spirit.

The delegation, which was led by its president Shyam Sunder Negi, also included Vice Presidents Vijay Singh Negi and Shamsher Singh, Treasurer Diwan Singh and Pratap Singh Negi, Press Secretary Virender Singh, and executive members Padam Singh Negi, Devinder Singh Negi, Rup Singh Negi, Dev Ghanchhan, Anil Kumar Negi and Jagjeet Singh Negi.

The Chief Minister said Shimla Divisional Commissioner has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit its report to the government at the earliest to provide relief to the villagers.

People who had given up their land for the hydel project would be provided adequate compensation, besides providing best relief and rehabilitation package and employment opportunities, he said.

MORE UNI AS DP AD ND1732