Amid allegations and counter-allegations over political interference in the construction of hydroelectric power projects in the mountainous Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, a chilling security alert has cast a shadow over the ambitious 850-megawatt Ratle Hydroelectric Project in the Drabshalla area on the river Chenab.
Police have identified 29 workers allegedly linked to terrorist outfits, former terrorists, or possessing serious criminal records, warning that their presence could endanger one of India's most strategically vital power projects.
Reports said that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Naresh Singh has written a confidential letter to the management of the Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the company involved in the construction of this mega project.
The letter, issued in November this year, lists the names and addresses of the workers, citing their alleged involvement in terrorism, anti-national activities, and repeated law-and-order violations.
The SSP has sought a verification report of the company's employees from the General Manager, MEIL Pvt Ltd, Hydroelectric Project, Ratle, Drabshalla. The letter names 29 workers currently engaged at the Ratle Hydel Project who allegedly have criminal or terrorist backgrounds.
Among those listed is Mohammad Iqbal, son of Mohd Anwer Butt, a resident of Badhat, Drabshalla, and the real brother of active and dreaded terrorist Mohammad Amin alias Jahangir Saroori of the Hizbul Mujahideen. Saroori has reportedly been involved in terrorist activities in the Kishtwar district since 1992.
Another worker named in the letter is Tanveer Ahmed, son of Abdul Karim Butt, a resident of Badhat, Drabshalla, identified as an overground worker (OGW) and the father of Jahangir Saroori. Shamash Din, son of Abdul Gani Butt, also a resident of Badhat and a cousin of Jahangir Saroori, was reportedly working on the project as well.
Yet another worker identified was Mohammad Nair, son of Abdul Kalam Mattoo, a resident of Drabshalla, who is reportedly the father of a surrendered terrorist.
Ratle project a prime target of terrorists
The SSP emphasized that the Ratle project, given its strategic importance, is a prime target for enemy forces. Security agencies had already issued alerts regarding hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
According to sources, five individuals were flagged for alleged terrorist links or as overground workers; three were identified as relatives of former terrorists; one was the son of an overground operative; and another was the son of a surrendered terrorist. One worker was also accused of contaminating a water source and forging documents.
Twenty-three others were reported to have criminal records and were accused of endangering public safety and repeatedly disrupting law and order.
BJP MLA questions engagement of workers with questionable backgrounds
The revelations have reignited controversy surrounding BJP MLA Shagun Parihar, who had earlier accused MEIL of employing individuals with questionable backgrounds.
"The police have justified the concerns I raised. I only said that some people working on the project were not right, but I was accused of obstructing the work," Parihar said.
MEIL, however, has pushed back. Chief Operating Officer Harpal Singh confirmed receiving the police letter but questioned the legal grounds for terminating the workers.
"If someone's relative was a terrorist but has surrendered and joined the mainstream, what is their fault? Without proven charges in court, termination could lead to legal challenges," he argued.
The dispute has also exposed deeper tensions over recruitment. Sources claim that many local workers were hired under political pressure, with little regard for skills or suitability. Of the 1,434 local employees, 960 are from Kishtwar and 220 from Doda. In September last year, MEIL laid off 200 workers, triggering unrest.
Parihar accused MEIL of incompetence, questioning why the 20 individuals flagged by police were not included in the layoffs.
Sources said this is not merely a local employment dispute but a national security flashpoint. Hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir are strategic assets, often targeted by terrorists and opposed by Pakistan. The presence of workers with alleged terror links inside such facilities raises urgent questions about vetting, accountability, and the balance between legal rights and security imperatives.
Omar demands probe into role of two BJP MLAs
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanded a probe against two BJP MLAs after a Hyderabad-based infrastructure company alleged political interference and extortion in connection with the ₹3,700-crore Ratle hydropower project in Kishtwar district.
The company has reportedly threatened to abandon the project if political interference does not stop.
"If such allegations were levelled against any of my ministers, investigation agencies would have acted swiftly. The Anti-Corruption Bureau would have already conducted raids," Abdullah said. "This project is not only important for Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire country. It is a project of national importance."
Calling for an end to political interference in projects of national significance, Abdullah said the allegations made by the infrastructure company must be investigated. "No one should be allowed to interfere. While the name of one MLA has surfaced in this case, in Kishtwar, two Opposition BJP MLAs are interfering in every project," he said on Monday.
