A minor girl drowned in a nallah in Pattan area of Baramulla district, triggering protests from locals against failure of the government to construct a bridge over the stream.
The deceased was identified as Aaliya (5) daughter of NazirAhmad Parray of Hurhundpora Pattan.
“The girl was on way to visit her mother who had gone to anearby field. While crossing a makeshift bridge over the stream she slipped andfell into the water body” said Sharief-u-Din, a local.
The incident triggered massive protests against districtadministration with locals accusing the government of failing to construct apermanent bridge over the stream, putting lives of people to risk.
“We have been demanding construction of the bridge over thenallah for past several years. But the district administration isn’t paying anyheed to our pleas” said Ghulam Rasool, a protestor.
Latter senior officials from police and local administrationincluding Sub-District Magistrate Pattan rushed to the spot to pacify theprotestors. They assured the people that their demand will be taken up with theadministration on priority.