Rafiabad, Varmul, Feb 19: Majority of the villages here are reeling under complete darkness from the last two months due to prolonged power cuts and breakdowns.
 The residents of Dangiwacha, Tragpora, Watergam, Ladoora, Nadihal, Behrampora, Doabgah and Chatusa told Greater Kashmir that they had been experiencing power curtailments for more than 16-18 hours during these months.
 “We are facing severe hardships due to the non-availability of electricity and the irony is that electricity is being supplied us during the midnight. The studies of our children are getting affected due to the power curtailment and we have decided not to pay the electricity tariff if the situation persists,” the residents said.
 The residents complained of discrimination and step-motherly treatment saying the Varmul and Sopur towns were receiving proper electricity supply. “Our areas are at stone’s throw from these towns, but the authorities are discriminating with us,” Nazir Ahmad of Doabgah told Greater Kashmir.  
 The aggrieved residents said that they had pinned all hopes on the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who according to them during a recent visit had assured of looking into the issue after it was highlighted by the Minister of State Javed Ahmad Dar who also represents Rafiabad constituency.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST