The farmers along the Satluj river have been protesting for the last 60 days outside the office of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited(SJVNL) in Luhri in the Shimla district. The kisans are on a continuous dharna. These kisans are affected by the ongoing work of the Luhri hydropower project which is being constructed by the SJVNL. The Himachal Kisan Sabha is leading this movement. On July 1, there was a big demonstration outside the office of SJVNL.

These kisans are from 14 panchayats on both banks of the river. These panchayats include Duttnagar, Neerth, Shamthala, Gadech, Dehra, Nithar, Durah, Shilhi, Devath, Badach, Kirti, Bhutti and Thanadhar. These panchayats fall under Shimla and Kullu districts.

The main demands of the kisans are compensation for massive pollution because of the construction work of the hydropower project and compensation for the cracks in their houses because of blasting done by the project work. The other major demands include: providing employment to local youth from the adjoining panchayats in the Luhri hydropower project; adequate compensation for the goats and sheep that were killed because of blasting; developmental works may be unleashed in the panchayats through LADA(Local Area Development Funds) funds; adequate measures ensuring proper drinking water and irrigation facility for the kisans.

Already Rs 9 crore has been disbursed to the kisans because of compensation due to pollution. More than Rs 20 crore will be disbursed. The kisans are continuing their dharna and another major mobilisation is planned for July 13.