Pulwama May 23: The residents of Newa in Pulwama district are up in arms against what they call official apathy towards the issues of development in the area.In a bid to make the district administration realize the criticality of various problems, the residents under the banner of a voluntary organization, Society for Peace, Justice and Development, would stage protests and go for day’s hunger strike at the main Chowk of the Newa town on Monday.
 “We would protest and go for hunger strike on Monday against the non serious approach of the district administration towards the various developmental works in the area,” said Abdul Hamid Sheikh, a resident and chairman SPJD Newa.
 According to him, there have been regular interruptions in power supply to the area due to shortage of panel.
 “Our people have been moving from pillar to the post and sought intervention of Power Development Department to install a new panel for Newa area but the officials have been ignoring our call till date,” said Mir Farooq, a resident and educationist.
 According to Hamid Sheikh, the work at Primary Health Centre was erratic and people have to take their sick patients to SDH Pulwama as facilities like USG, ECG, X-Ray etc. were not available and insufficient medicine supplies.
 Adding fuel to the fire, as per Sheikh, was the apathy of administration towards the land encroachment on the interior road of Newa.
 Besides, there has been no modification work on ‘Bul Bul Nag’, a largest water supply scheme in the district having 207 springs that provides drinking water to more than 60-70 villages.
 “This was despite that the project has been sanctioned,” he added.
 Seeking immediate intervention of the chief minister Omar Abdullah, the residents would stage a sit in with the demands that also include setting up of computer and science lab at Higher Secondary School Newa.
 “Simultaneously, the school needs to be fenced which impacts the studies the students.”Among the demands for the area, which the residents would put forth during the hunger strike, include, establishment of a Community Development Block.
 Disclosing that the Society has informed the district administration about the proposed protest and hunger strike, Sheikh said that the grievance of the residents need immediate redressal as official apathy was pushing them to protests.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 23 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 23 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 IST