15 CITU-Linked Individuals Booked for Forcibly Halting Work on Sunni Dam Project

Shimla, August 13 – Work on the 382 MW Sunni Dam hydroelectric project has been stalled for the past seven days, causing an estimated loss of around ₹3 crore. Police have registered a case against 15 individuals accused of obstructing the project’s operations and misbehaving with employees and security personnel. The case has been filed at the Sunni Police Station under Sections 126(2), 191(2), 190, 352, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The complaint was lodged by Vipul Thakur, Deputy General Manager (HR) at SJVNL. According to the complaint, on August 6 at around 2:30 p.m., a group of land oustees affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) halted work at the project site without prior notice or legal grounds. Again, on August 12 at about 3:33 p.m., the same group stopped the operation of a mucking dumper (HP 63F 0430) in the presence of the local administration.

The complaint states that during these incidents, the accused verbally abused security personnel, employees, and contractors, and refused to allow work to resume despite repeated requests. This led to delays in project progress, financial losses, and a breach of contractual deadlines.

According to police, those booked include Om Prakash, Balak Ram Sharma, Chuni Lal, Dushyant, Hemraj, Bhupendra, Yograj, Mahendra, Mohan Lal Sharma, Keshav, Tek Chand, Sanoj Rawat, Paras, Nek Chand, and Sandeep. They face charges of obstructing work, using abusive language, issuing threats, and causing damage to the project. Police say further action is underway.