Act against Oppn. MLAs behind interference in power projects of national importance in Kishtwar: Omar Abdullah

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday (December 15, 2025) said investigating agencies should take action against BJP legislators who are allegedly interfering in power projects of national importance in Kishtwar district of Chenab Valley.

Referring to the recent allegations of political interference by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), which is building the 850 Megawatt Ratle Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar, J&K, Abdullah said, “This issue should be taken seriously. These are institutions of national importance and no interference should be allowed. Such projects are valid not only for J&K but for the entire country.”

Mr Abdullah said that in this particular case there were allegations of interference by an Opposition MP, but in reality two Opposition MPs intervened in the projects. Kishtwar constituency is represented by a BJP MLA.

Mr. Abdullah said, “If the allegations were against our Minister, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) would have raided. In such cases, investigative institutions must take action.”

He also lamented that the Lieutenant Governor’s administration has not handed over the power companies to the elected government so far. “I am the power minister but the power companies have not been handed over to the elected government yet,” the J&K Chief Minister added.

A few days ago, MEIL had threatened to withdraw from the project. He claimed that project workers were under “a lot of pressure” and that “local people and politicians acted undemocratically and put pressure on hiring local workers even though there were no vacancies”.

Ratle project is a river project located on Chenab River in Drabshalla village of Kishtwar. The project was approved in 2021 at a total cost of ₹5281.94 crore. The planned commissioning date is May 2026.

Meanwhile, MIEL General Operations Director Harpal Singh wrote a letter to Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar on Monday, seeking a First Information Report (FIR) against social media influencer Asif Iqbal Naik for “deliberately publishing false, defamatory, misleading and threatening content”.

“Our officer Syed Burhan Andrabi is being targeted. The accused has openly named our officer and his statements amount to gross misrepresentation of government authority, calculated to mislead the public and incite hostility against MEIL officials,” Mr. Singh said in his letter.

The MIEL official said Mr Naik’s content was “clearly aimed at intimidating MEIL officials, creating fear and pressure at the project site and obstructing the legal execution of a strategic infrastructure project”.

“The video is being widely circulated and the inflammatory comments posted by the viewers have further aggravated the situation, posing a clear and present threat to security, public order and workplace harmony. Considering the seriousness of the matter, we humbly pray that your good will will be welcomed to register an FIR against Mr. Asif Iqbal Naik,” Mr. Singh said.

The MIEL officer requested an investigation into the matter. “If necessary, arrest and prosecute the defendant strictly in accordance with the law. Take other measures deemed appropriate for the protection of justice, public security and the lawful execution of a national project,” the MIEL letter said.