Sajid Raina
Bandipora, Apr 15: The residents of the Suderkoot-Payeen area in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday staged a protest against Wullar Conservation and Management Authority as their dredging project is creating a flood-like situation in the village.
The Wullar Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) is conducting dredging operations in the Wullar-Lake for its restoration.
The protesters said that the village is facing a flood-like situation over the past few weeks as the Wullar dredging working agency dumps all the dirt, debris and water in their area through heavy pipes.
The locals also blamed the WUCMA for the deteriorating environment around the village which is already having a shortage of basic amenities.
“We couldn’t even pray in the mosque this morning. When we went out, there was a flood of water everywhere,” Abdul Rahim a local said.
“We informed the relevant authorities about this problem several times but in return, we were silenced by threats from them, ” he said.
Basheer, another local said that he repeatedly told the dredging contractor to relocate the drainage pipes to a non-residential area.
“These pipes are being laid deliberately towards their village which caused flooding in the area,” he said.
Locals have appealed to the district and WUCMA authority to relocate the drainage pipes.
Despite repeated attempts, no concerned official could be contacted for the comments regarding the matter.
