Baramulla, Jul 23 (KNO): The residents of Sopore and Mirgund in north Kashmir on Tuesday took to streets, accusing Jal Shakti department of failing to provide them adequate supply of drinking water amidst scorching heat.
Eyewitnesses informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that in Mirgund, the residents, who have been facing a water crisis for the last several months, while expressing their frustration and despair blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway to press for their demand.
The blockade halted the traffic movement along the highway, which was later on restored after officials from civil and police administration intervened and assured them of the needful.
Chanting slogans like "Hamari Mangy Puri Karo" (Fulfill Our Demands), the protestors said that they have been grappling with scarcity for several months and the department concerned is not paying any heed towards them.
“It has been almost a year without water supply, but the department concerned don't pay heed to their pleas,” said one of the protesters.
Lack of adequate drinking water supply has severely affected their daily lives, leaving many residents struggling to meet their basic needs, the protestors said.
Meanwhile, a similar kind of protest was witnessed in Sopore town of the northern district, where the residents blocked the highway at Chankhan Bridge, demanding drinking water facility amidst the crises.
The protestors, mostly women while raising slogans against the Jal Shakti department, division Sopore, said that they had been going through the crises for a long time now, however, the concerned department has completely failed to address their grievance.
“We are being forced to drink contaminated water, which is unhygienic and health hazardous for us. The department is making no effort to ease our difficulties,” the residents said, adding that they have been victimized and befooled by the so-called leaders and PRIs, who according to them only visited them for their vote-bank.
Meanwhile, the protest later on ended peacefully, after assurances from the Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, who was accompanied by the Tehsildar—(KNO)