Chrar-e-Sharief (Budgam), Dec 12: Strong resentment is brewing against the Jammu and Kashmir government in this town of Central Kashmir, famous of the shrine of revered Kashmiri saint and poet, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA).
 On Monday, a complete shutdown was observed here against the government for neglecting development of the area which finds its mention as “model town” in official records.
 There is nothing modern about the town, residents argue. Instead acute shortage of power, water, lack of proper roads and drainage facilities and government’s non-seriousness to develop the main town has been a cause of anger among the residents for long now.
 Supported by locals, different associations in the town including various businessmen, private institutions and Drivers’ Association, joined hands to observe the shutdown. Transport remained completely off the roads, shutters were down and all kinds of offices—private and public remained closed.
 “Electricity is rarely being supplied to the town. The situation is growing worse on all fronts. For past 16-years, government has failed to develop the town on modern lines,” said a local, Shabir Ahmad.
 Not to talk of development of the town on modern lines, locals alleged that government has failed to provide basic facilities to people.
 “This (shutdown) is only the beginning. We will take to the streets if government fails to provide the town with continuous power supply and other basic facilities. We warn government to address our demands otherwise the onus will lie on the authorities,” said a group of angry youth.
 While the entire town was enveloped in complete silence in response to the shutdown, different roads leading to and out of the town remained blocked due to the erected barricades.
 In 1995, the main town was gutted in a devastating blaze following a three month confrontation between holed up militants and security forces.
 Mushtaq Ahmad, another youth alleged that the development of the town and its surroundings has been the casualty of government neglect and politics.
 But the biggest victim of official apathy has been the under construction, Masjid which is being built in place of the 600 year old Khanqah which was also engulfed in 1995 fire, he said. Though three successive governments came to the power in Jammu and Kashmir since 1995, the Khanqah construction is yet to be completed.
 Chrar Constituency is the stronghold of the National Conference which has never lost it for more than three decades.
 “Bureaucratic hassles, lack of funds and non-serious approach of the government are among the reasons for under development of the town,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a shopkeeper.
 His colleague commented: “Go and visit other places in the state and see the difference in development there. You do not expect government to mistreat people of the town which is famous for the shrine of Alamdar-e-Kashmir,” he said.
 Chrar-e-Sharief is one of the major towns of the central Kashmir’s district Budgam and government has been claiming to develop it as pilgrimage tourism destination.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST