KISHTWAR: A growing movement demanding free electricity in Kishtwar has been met with a government crackdown as authorities-imposed restrictions on public gatherings under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNSS). The restrictions have been stayed temporarily by the court.
The agitation, which gained momentum since last week of January, saw hundreds of residents rallying under the banner of "Mission Bijli Free," demanding that Kishtwar, which generates thousands of megawatts of hydroelectric power, receive electricity at no cost. However, just as the movement was picking up pace, the District Magistrate imposed restrictions on February 10, effectively halting protests.
The decision to ban unauthorized gatherings was justified on the grounds of maintaining public order and ensuring security ahead of religious festivals.
On February 11, the Principal Sessions Judge, Kishtwar, issued a stay on the order imposed by the District Magistrate under Section 163 BNSS, which had restricted gatherings and protests.
The court observed that “it is also the rule of natural justice that should be given chance, being heard is tenant of fair trial,” directing that the record be called from the District Magistrate’s office for review.
Until the next hearing on February 18, the restrictions have been kept in abeyance. The Mission’s committee said they have submitted a request for fresh permission for resuming their agitation to the DC Kishtwar. Once we get the permission, we will hold a press conference to announce the protest and further plans, the committee members said.
The court’s stay was seen as a relief for the protesters, who maintain that their agitation is peaceful and lawful.
Meanwhile, the committee members and political figures have strongly criticized the administration’s clampdown, calling it an attempt to suppress a legitimate demand that has been ignored for decades.
Kishtwar is home to some of the biggest hydroelectric projects in the region, with an expected power generation capacity of nearly 6,000 MW once ongoing projects is completed. These include Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Kwar (540 MW), Kirthai (930 MW), and Ratle (850 MW). Despite being a major contributor to Jammu & Kashmir’s power supply, residents of Kishtwar have long complained of frequent outages, high tariffs, and a lack of infrastructural development.
Speaking to Kashmir Times, Waseem Akram, one of the key organizers of the protest, said, “For years, I have worked in the media, raising genuine concerns of the people, but no one listens. The biggest issue in Kishtwar is electricity. This district has witnessed many casualties during the construction of power projects, yet we have received nothing in return.”
He further elaborated on the environmental and social impact of these projects, saying, “The construction of hydroelectric projects has devastated our environment. The drying up of rivers, deforestation, and destruction of natural springs have deeply affected our ecosystem. I used to visit a beautiful natural spring near Cherhar village during my childhood, but after the construction of the 390 MW Dul Hasti project, that spring completely dried up.”
Akram explained how the movement started. “On January 21, I posted on social media demanding free electricity with the slogan, ‘Hamari Bijli Humko Do, Muft Do, Muft Do’ (Give Us Our Electricity for Free). Many residents of Kishtwar resonated with the demand because it is something we have been struggling for over the years,” he said.
He further added that he had obtained proper permission from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) for a protest on January 9, ensuring that no laws were violated. “We followed all legal procedures and were committed to continuing this movement in a peaceful manner. However, on February 10, authorities-imposed Section 163 BNSS, banning any form of public gathering,” he elaborated. “This was a clear attempt to suppress our voices,” he said.
The movement has seen an outpouring of support from various sections of society, including activists, lawyers, and political leaders. Burhan Dar, a young activist and social media influencer, said he felt compelled to join the agitation after seeing its apolitical and genuine nature.
“I have been raising issues of Kishtwar for many years,” Dar told Kashmir Times. “When I saw that some youth had started this movement, and it was not linked to any political party, I decided to support it. Free electricity for Kishtwar is not a luxury—it is our basic right.”
He emphasized that this was not just a one-time protest, but part of a long-term legal battle. “I have been actively participating in the legal fight for the rights of Kishtwar’s people who got promises by the government since the 1980s. This specific agitation for free electricity is extremely important because we deserve the benefits of the power generated here,” he said.
Political figures have also stepped in to support the movement. Firdous Tak, a former Member of Legislative Council (MLC) and senior leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), strongly criticized the government’s approach.
“Kishtwar is set to become North India’s hydroelectric power hub, yet its people remain deprived of their fair share,” Tak told Kashmir Times. “With multiple projects under construction, this region will soon be contributing nearly 2,000 MW of electricity per day. However, instead of prosperity, these projects have brought environmental devastation and even human casualties.”
He further added, “The people of Kishtwar are not even demanding a share in the revenue from these projects. All they are asking for is free electricity, which is a reasonable demand considering the hardships they have faced. Rather than addressing these concerns, the government has chosen to silence dissent by imposing Section 163 BNSS.”
On the restrictions imposed by the administration, Tak said, “People had placed their hopes in a party with a full majority, expecting relief from bureaucratic rule. Instead, they got more of the same. Criminalizing dissent is not governance—it is suppression.”
In October 2024, the National Conference swept the elections and Omar Abdullah-led government took over the reins of power of the first Jammu & Kashmir assembly since the state was truncated and converted into a Union Territory in August 2019. The present J&K assembly enjoys limited powers and the law and order is under the centrally appointed Lieutenant Governor.
Despite the curtailed powers, locals expect the National Conference to speak for the people. The protestors blamed all previous governments for their failure to address public concerns. But their primary target was the companies, particularly NHPC and other firms, which had made commitments to the people but failed to fulfill them.
While the National Conference (NC) is as yet tight-lipped over the issue, Shahan Sajjad Kichloo, son of NC leader Sajjad Kichloo, has extended his support to the agitation on behalf of the local unit of the party.
In a video statement shared on social media, he declared full support for Mission Free Bijli, Kishtwar, a movement advocating free electricity for residents, citing the region's abundant hydroelectric resources and the need for fair power distribution. His backing is seen as a significant boost to the movement, potentially influencing policy decisions in favor of public welfare.
The demand for free electricity is not new. Documents from 1986, parsed by Kashmir Times, reveal that when the Dul Hasti project was first constructed, the government had made several assurances regarding land acquisition, employment, and rehabilitation.
A 1987 NHPC memo, referencing an Office Memorandum from 1986, had promised employment opportunities and training for displaced families. The document outlined compensation policies, education support, and skill development programs for those affected by the hydro projects. However, locals argue that these promises were never fulfilled.
Speaking on the issue, a local protester said, “Back then, the government had assured that for every family that lost land, at least one person would be given a job. But over the years, we have only seen exploitation and neglect. Instead of fulfilling their commitments, they have continued to push forward new projects without addressing past grievances.”
Despite the government’s restrictions, the movement is far from over. Protest leaders have formed a 30-member committee to pursue the cause through legal and peaceful means.
“We have decided to organize ourselves in a structured manner,” said Waseem Akram. “This will be a lawful agitation, and we will not stop until our demand for free electricity is met.”
For now, the administration remains silent on whether it will engage in negotiations with the protesters. Meanwhile, experts warn that the indiscriminate use of laws like Section 163 BNSS to curb protests could set a dangerous precedent in the region.
Kashmir Times made several attempts to contact the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kishtwar via phone calls and WhatsApp messages to seek his response regarding the concerns raised by protesters about the imposed restrictions under Section 163 BNSS. However, no response was received at the time of publication. This story will be updated when we receive a response.
As Kishtwar continues its struggle for what it sees as its rightful share, one question remains—will the government finally listen, or will the voices of its people continue to be ignored?
(Anzer Ayoob is a journalist based in Chenab Valley, he is the president of Chenab Times Foundation and can be reached at connect@anzerayoob.com or X @AnzerAyoob)
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