Mirani dam victims

LAHORE

AFFECTEES of the Mirani dam, Balochistan, Monday reached here and set up a protest camp in front of WAPDA office.

At least two dozen people belonging to District Turbat were demanding the federal government to abide by its promise of awarding compensation to the Mirani Dam affectees. They were affected by the 2007 Mirani Dam disaster.

Holding banners and placards, the protesters demanded immediate release of promised Rs 4305.89 million in lieu of damages to houses from 264 feet to 271.4 feet Average Mean Sea Level (AMSL), and date trees and karezat from 245 feet to 271.4 feet AMSL.

According to the protesters, when Mirani Dam was built in 2007 with a cost of Rs 5.8 billion, the experts had determined that water level would not reach beyond 245 feet AMSL. But on June 26-27, 2007 the backflow from the Dam reached 271.4 feet AMSL and caused widespread destruction in Nodez, Nasirabad and other areas of Kech. They said that the government initially ignored the issue but latter agreed to pay compensation for 264 feet AMSL. After several protest rallies and even a hunger strike camp in Lahore last April, Wapda and the government finally agreed in December 2012 to pay compensation for up to 271.4 feet AMSL. However, the compensation for 264 feet hadn’t been fully paid and there were no signs of payments for house damages above 271.4 feet level or compensation for trees and tube wells, they viewed. Expressing support to the Mirani Dam affectees,