New Delhi: Massive protests erupted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over construction of dams in that region on Neelam-Jhelum region. Locals fear the dams will drastically cut down water flow in the river, thus impacting their daily lives.

Thousands of protestors hit the streets and chanted slogans like “Neelum-Jhelum behne do, humein zinda rehne do”.
The protesters of ‘Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao’ (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) committee chanted slogans like “Neelum-Jhelum behne do, humein zinda rehne do” (let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live).

The residents of Muzaffarabad are irked by the high Chinese presence in the area, massive construction of dams, and river diversions threatening their very existence.

#WATCH Protests and torch rally took place in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) last night, against the construction of mega-dams that will be built by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum river. pic.twitter.com/ib0Y2j6Cok

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2020

Pak, China inked deal for 2 hydro-power projects in PoK

Recently, Pakistan and China signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in PoK region.

Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700.7 megawatts of electricity is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) signed on July 6. The USD 1.54 billion project will be sponsored by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC).

The Kohala Hydroelectric Power Project which will be built on Jhelum River is roughly 7 km upstream of Azad Pattan Bridge in the Sudhanoti District of PoK and 90 km from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.

The project, expected to be completed by 2026, will be sponsored by China Three Gorges Corporation, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Silk Road Fund.

Pakistan and China are jointly plundering the natural resources of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The resentment in the occupied territories is high against Pakistan and China.