Massive protests and rallies erupted in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on Monday night against the constructions by China. The rallies were organised to protest against the mega-dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.
In a video circulated on social media, the members of the “Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao” (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) Committee could be seen shouting slogans like “Neelum-Jhelum behne do, humein zinda rehne do” (let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live).
The rally was attended by over a thousand people from the city and other parts of PoJK.
Pakistan and China have signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The local residents have been protesting against the Chinese firms for a long time as the construction activities were destroying natural resources and ecological balance in PoJK.
According to the local residents, the Chinese presence in the area, massive construction of dams, and river diversions are threatening their very existence.
