(updated) An unidentified group on Monday torched a Jeep of GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower Limited that is developing a 900-MW project. The Bolero jeep (BA 8 CHA 1585) was set on fire last evening when it was parked at the project site in Saattalla-1 nearby the Ramghat River. GMR is an Indian multinational company. Police have suspected the hands of the parties protesting against Indian investment in the arson incident. A security team led by Dilekh Police Chief Bir Bahadur Oli has intensified the search operation. It has been learnt that two unknown people came and sprinkled petrol and set the jeep ablaze while it was parked alongside a river. Local traders and policemen doused the fire but the Jeep was completely damaged. The accident occurred two kilometres away from the project. Meanwhile, the locals expressed their surprise that the accident took place amid tight security. “It was a lapse of project officers and the APF personnel deployed for the project security,” said a local over the telephone. “It seems like the incident is part of GMR strategy to put the project on hold.” The accident has sparked speculations among the locals that the GMR wants to hold the river in its name rather than completing the project on time. The government and GMR signed the Power Development Agreement (PDA) in September 2015, for construction of 900-MW Upper Karnali project. The company is currently preparing the groundwork for pre-construction financial and technological preparations of the project.

updated........... Police have arrested two leaders of the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist on the charge of torching a jeep belonging to the 900-MW GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower Limited in Dailekh. Both were arrested on Friday. “Kalam BK and another leader Harka Bahadur Nepali of the CPN Maoist were taken into custody for investigation,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Bir Bahadur Oli. Nepali, however, was released on a general date on Saturday. BK is still in custody. The jeep (BA 8 CHA 1585) was set on fire at the project site in Saattalla-1 near the Ramghat river on Monday evening. Local businessmen and police had doused the fire. The 900-MW Upper Karnali Hydropower Project is being developed as per the Power Development Agreement (PDA) signed between the government and GMR in September 2014.