The Ratle hydroelectric project is being constructed over the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Kashmir. A company named Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited is working on the project. Some individuals who were involved in subversive and anti-national activities are working in that very company. This is what the Jammu and Kashmir Police suspect. Recently, the Kashmir Police sent a letter to the company's general manager expressing their suspicions.
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Kishtwar district SSP Naresh Singh stated in the letter that, as per instructions from higher authorities, verification of MEIL employees' movements and past activities was conducted through the concerned police station. A total of 29 employees were found to have been previously involved in subversive and anti-national activities.
Kashmir Police stated that hydroelectric projects have significant national importance. Such important constructions remain targets of enemy countries. Therefore, companies should be cautious when hiring employees or workers for such construction work. Their activities need to be closely monitored, and police should be informed immediately if anything suspicious is observed.
MEIL's Joint Chief Operating Officer, Harpal Singh, responded to the letter stating that the 29 employees on the suspect list would be closely monitored. Harpal Singh said in his letter, "If any worker is found to be involved in any anti-national or anti-project activities, the matter will be promptly reported to the Kishtwar district police for necessary action."
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Among the list of 29 people provided by police, three are relatives of Hizbul commander Jahangir Saruri. Mohammad Iqbal, son of project employee Mohammad Anwar Bhat, is Jahangir Saruri's brother, an employee named Shams Din is the Hizbul commander's cousin, and Tanvir Ahmed is Saruri's nephew.
Hizbul Mujahideen's 'A++' category militant commander Jahangir Saruri is considered the main architect behind creating terrorist organisations in the Kishtwar region. In October 2018, Jammu and Kashmir Police had even put up posters searching for him in the Kishtwar region. This Jahangir was active in the Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and Bhadarwah areas.
