19 people go hungry for ‘the right of 13,000’

Protesters vowed that they would not return home until the funds are released.

LAHORE:

The hunger strike held by 19 people from Turbat, Balochistan, entered its second day on Tuesday.

The camp has been set up at Charing Cross, in front of the Wapda House.

The protesters are people who were displaced or whose houses and property were damaged when the Mirani Dam was bulit in 2007.

They say that they were promised compensation but haven’t been paid.

They are asking that the authorities provide detailed information on the status of the payment, and copies of all documents pertaining to their cases. After “seven years of delaying tactics”, they say they have little faith in the authorities.

The protesters said that they had travelled for three days, because they want their troubles to end. They claimed to be representing almost 13,000 victims in all. They vowed that they would not return home until the funds are released.

On Monday, two representatives of the Mirani Dam delegation, Ahmad Ali and Muhammad Amin, held a meeting with Wapda Member (Water) Hasnain Afzal at his office. Later, two representatives from Wapda, Public Relations Director Mohammad Abid Rana, and General Manager Qasim Tareen, met with the protesters. The protesters were assured that they would be paid the promised compensation in 10-15 days.

Awami Workers Party has said it will hold a People’s Tribunal on Saturday, where the protesters will share their stories. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2013.