Water reservoir affectees seek compensation

The affectees of the Manchora water reservoir and picnic spot on Friday staged a sit-in at the site to demand payments for their houses and land acquired for the mega project.

The protesters raised slogans in support of their demands, saying they would forcibly get the work stopped if payments were not paid to them.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had performed the gourd-breaking of the Manchora water reservoir earlier this year. Rais Ahmad, the manager of the company executing the mega project, held talks with the protesters and assured them that he would take up the issue with the government for an immediate release of land, houses and other compensation amounts. He said the government was working for the release of the money. MPA Nawabzada Fareed has also announced to take up the issue in the provincial assembly. Deputy Commissioner, Mansehra, Aurangzeb Haider Khan, during his recent visit to Oghi had assured the affected families that the government would release their dues soon.