Protests against water scarcity in Kupwara, residents block road

Residents of Shontipora village in Kralpora Kupwara Monday blocked the Kupwara-Chowkibal road to protest against the non-availability of potable water supply in the area for a month now.

The protesters including women alleged that the negligenceof the authorities forced them to come on roads.

   

“The water supply pipeline is damaged for a month now andthe officials are yet to repair the line, leaving this area without drinkingwater for over a month. We visited every concerned official of the PublicHealth Engineering but they are passing the buck. Even we went to DeputyCommissioner’s office, he forwarded our application to Executive Engineer PHE,”said Ghulam Nabi Khan.

He further said, “When we contacted Ex En he forwarded theapplication to Assistant Executive Engineer who then assured us that we willrepair the line in a day. But after a few days when the line was not repairedwe again went to his office, he again assured repairing within a day, but amonth has passed the officials are yet to be seen on ground which today forcedus to block the road,” Khan said.

Another local of the area said, “I pay the water tax amountnearly a thousand rupees yearly then why cannot I have water.”

“We are again asking the officials to pay heed to our pleasotherwise we have to take some harsh steps against their negligence,” he said.

“The people at the helm of affairs don’t feel the sufferingsof common people. Our women have to walk long distances to fetch water in thisscorching heat.”

After the protesters blocked the road for hours, police anda team from district administration on the directions of Tehsildar Karlporareached the spot and assured the villagers that they will take up the matterwith the concerned officials and their grievance will be redressed.

“I have sent a team to the area to look into the matter andneeded action will be initiated,” said Tariq Ahmad, Tehsildar Kralpora.

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