'Employees Involved In Anti-National Activities': J&K Police Had Warned MEIL In Ratle Project Row

Last Updated:December 19, 2025, 13:25 IST

A letter has flagged some workers at the Ratle Project in Kishtwar for alleged criminal or militant links, days after MEIL officials accused BJP MLA Shagun Parihar of interference.

Ratle hydropower project in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir (Photo: Social Media)

A letter written by the Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding workers at the 850-MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar has come into public view, intensifying the controversy surrounding the project.

The letter, dated November 1, addressed to Mega Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the company executing the project, flagged some employees with alleged criminal or militant links, raising concerns over the security of the hydropower plant.

The letter was signed by Kishtwar Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh and stated that “as per directions of higher-ups, verification of character and antecedents in respect of workers/employees of Mega Pvt Ltd, who are residents of Kishtwar, was conducted through their concerned police stations."

The SSP highlighted that “as per the report of concerned SHOs, the employees/workers of Mega Pvt Ltd, are found involved in subversive/anti-national activities."

According to The Indian Express, of the employees pointed to, five were cited for alleged militancy links, including three relatives of long-time militants, a son of a suspected overground worker, and a son of a surrendered militant.

One employee was accused of contaminating water sources and forging documents, while the remaining 23 were reported to have criminal charges ranging from trespass to mischief intended to cause public or individual loss.

The letter urged MEIL to maintain close surveillance and immediately inform police of any adverse activity.

The disclosure comes amid accusations by MEIL officials that local political interference is affecting the project.

Joint Chief Operating Officer Harpal Singh had accused BJP MLA Shagun Parihar of allegedly attempting to pressure the company to hire workers and award contracts based on political and religious grounds.

Singh warned that continued interference could force the company to pull out of the project, causing heavy financial losses, including penalties linked to bank guarantees submitted to NHPC, the project’s implementing partner.

Singh emphasised that MEIL maintains a secular character and has invested heavily in machinery, materials, and manpower.

“Continued interference may force the company to withdraw from the project, causing heavy losses, including bank guarantees submitted to NHPC and major investments in machinery and materials," he said.

He also detailed incidents of intimidation, including an attack on the company’s HR head near Drabshalla, which led to police intervention and a registered case against the accused.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Congress has demanded a high-level independent probe into the allegations, describing the situation as “startling" and calling for transparency on the role of political interference in the project, PTI reported.

The PDP has also weighed in, with party chief Mehbooba Mufti criticising the “arbitrary dismissal of employees" and targeting of workers instead of investigating political interference, warning that such actions undermine both livelihoods and project stability.

The Ratle Hydroelectric Project, being constructed on the Chenab River, is a joint venture between NHPC Limited and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd.

MEIL is responsible for construction, employing over 1,400 workers, including 960 from Kishtwar.

Officials stress that all employees receive government-mandated minimum wages, safety provisions, and compensation benefits, and the company urges locals to refrain from pursuing demands that cannot be fulfilled.

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