Ratle Power Project Controversy: J&K Police Alert on Workers With Alleged Terror Ties

Jammu & Kashmir — A significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Ratle Hydroelectric Project has surfaced, as the Jammu & Kashmir Police wrote to project contractor Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) last month alerting them to 29 individuals engaged at the site who allegedly have militant or criminal backgrounds.

The Ratle project—a strategic 850 MW hydroelectric power plant being built in Kishtwar’s Drabshalla area—has faced scrutiny recently over delays and allegations of improper recruitment practices. The newly surfaced police warning adds a security dimension to the dispute, amplifying political and local concerns.

Police Alert on Workers With ‘Militancy Links’

In a letter dated November 1, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Naresh Singh informed MEIL’s general manager that routine police verification of local hires revealed that 29 employees were “found involved in subversive/anti-national activities.”

The police report, compiled with inputs from station house officers (SHOs) in the area, stated that the presence of such individuals could compromise the security of the power project, which authorities consider a high-risk target due to its strategic importance. Among those flagged, several were listed with militancy links, including relatives of longtime militants or sons of suspected insurgent associates. Others were noted as having pending criminal charges ranging from trespass to mischief. 

The SSP urged MEIL to maintain close surveillance over these workers’ activities and to report any suspicious behavior to police for prompt action. 

Political Clash Over Recruitment Practices

The police letter has reinvigorated criticism from BJP Kishtwar MLA Shagun Parihar, who has repeatedly voiced concerns over the hiring practices at the Ratle site. Parihar described the letter as vindication of her allegations, arguing that poor recruitment not only threatens project progress but also regional security. 

MEIL’s Chief Operating Officer Harpal Singh acknowledged receiving the police advice but stressed that there is no legal basis to dismiss workers solely on the grounds of alleged backgrounds without court-verified convictions. He noted that many of the flagged individuals had been on the project prior to his appointment in July 2024 and that retrenching them could invite legal challenges. 

Singh further claimed that half of the 1,434 local employees are from Kishtwar and Doda districts and that local political pressures have influenced recruitment, complicating efforts to ensure the workforce meets technical and security requirements. 

Parihar denied interfering in recruitment, accusing MEIL leadership of attempting to shift blame amid project delays. The company has attributed setbacks—originally slated for completion by September 2026—to political interference and unions advocating changes to hiring practices. 

Security and Project Implications

The police warning underscores broader security concerns in Jammu & Kashmir, where law enforcement regularly encounters terror and criminal threats. Recent operations have foiled terror plots and uncovered explosives caches linked to militant networks, highlighting the sensitive environment in which infrastructure projects like Ratle operate. 

The Ratle project’s significance—both for regional power generation and national energy goals—means that any hint of security risk can have far-reaching implications. Stakeholders are now awaiting responses from both the company and government authorities on how to address these concerns without derailing progress on the ambitious hydroelectric project.