HUNZA, May 26 The people of the Gojal have rejected the compensation package announced by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday for the people affected by the lake formed on Hunza River.

They described the package as peanut and rubbing of salt to their wounds. They demanded substantial increase in the compensation amount.

They said that the Prime Minister should have announced a comprehensive package for the rehabilitation of the affected families and revival of the economy.

The committees of the affected people of Gojal have threatened to stage protests all over the country if the package was not revised. Similarly, the youth of Gojal have warned to march towards the Attabad landslide site in boats.

Talking to mediapersons, they said that the people have lost everything and construction of even a single room is not possible with the announced amount.

They said that the land after release of the water would be totally damaged and construction of houses would not be possible in lower parts of the settlements.

Kiramat Ali, an affected person from Shishkat, told Dawn that the government should devise a special package for the revival of the affected families. He said the landslide was a natural disaster but the inundation of the upstream settlement due to delay in release of water was manmade.

Muhammad Nawa of Gulmit said that he has lost all sources of livelihood, house, land, plants and shops and with the announced package, he cannot construct a house for his extended family. He demanded provision of compensation for loss in his business and crops.

It is worthy to mention here that the lake has displaced 171 families in Gojal tehsil including 32 in Ayeenabad, 101 in Shishkat and 38 houses in Gulmit. The lake has further inundated 127 shops, five grinding mills, five furniture works, and six hotels in Gulmit, Shishkat, Ayeenabad and Ghulkin.—Correspondent