Khotang, March 18
Residents of Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality in Khotang have forced the suspension of power production from the three-megawatt Upper Rawakhola Hydroelectricity Project, citing the denial of compensation for their land acquired by the project.
The locals diverted water from the project dam back to the river, effectively halting electricity generation.
Previously, they had announced a phased protest against Rawa Energy Development Company Limited, Halesi Energy Company Limited, and the Lower Mid Rawakhola Hydroelectric Project—companies operating along the Rawakhola River, which borders Sungdel and Dipsung.
“This is a fight against injustice,” said Maitiraj Rai, coordinator of the Private and Public Property Conservation Struggle Committee, Kepilasgadhi. He accused the hydropower companies of deceiving locals by failing to compensate them for their property.
“Today, we shut down the Rawakhola Project,” he stated, adding, “We had decided to disrupt operations if our demands were not met by March 16.”
According to locals, during the expansion of transmission lines, approximately 5,200 meters of land was utilized by hydropower developers, while 38 plots were acquired for pipeline expansion.
