A major clash broke out in Rudraprayag’s Rudrapur village as locals protested against the construction of a substation on community grazing land. The protestors blocked roads for hours, raising slogans against the government and the police. Heated exchanges and scuffles were reported between the villagers and the authorities.
Women Protesters Detained Amid Road Blockade
Women protesters staged a sit-in and blocked the Guptkashi-Jakhdhar motor road using large boulders. Several women were forcibly detained and placed in police vehicles, leading to further outrage. The road connecting Rudrapur and nearby areas was heavily guarded, turning the region into a temporary police outpost.
Dispute Over Land and Pending Court Decision
The controversy dates back to 2013 when the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (PITCUL) initiated plans to build a substation on approximately six hectares of grazing land without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the village council. Residents previously halted construction and filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Uttarakhand High Court, which is still pending. Despite the absence of a court ruling, officials attempted to commence work on the site, leading to the recent escalation.
Allegations of Irregularities
Social activists Ganesh Shukla and Anit Shukla alleged that the substation was initially approved for Barambadi village, but the then-acting village development officer granted an unauthorized NOC for Rudrapur. The land was subsequently leased to PITCUL for 30 years by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), despite it being under the revenue department’s jurisdiction. Activists have questioned the legitimacy of this lease, accusing the administration of forcefully occupying the land.
Call for Justice and Continued Protests
Protesters vowed to prevent any further construction until the court delivers a verdict. They warned of intensified demonstrations if the authorities persist with the project. Multiple attempts to contact Tehsildar Pradeep Negi for comments were unsuccessful. The situation remains tense, with heavy police deployment in the area.
