Tasaduq Hussain
Handwara, Jul 17: Dismayed over the inaction of authorities, the residents of the Langate belt in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district Saturday said that the area is without potable water supply for a couple of years now leaving the residents, particularly women, to suffer for want of drinking water.
Chairman Jamia Masjid Committee Guloora Ghulam Hassan said that the water issue in their area has been unresolved for the past three decades.
Hassan said the well constructed has cracked with the result people are left without potable water despite hefty amount from government exchequer was spent on it.
“The administration does not bother about the people. The authorities do not even bother to verify from the native people despite holding protests against the water shortage,” Hassan said.
Hassan said both men and women are forced to trek nearly 3 kilometers to fetch drinking water since people are left with no other option than to suffer for want of water.
He also lashed out at the elected representatives saying that even after getting the funds they don’t bother to initiate the work and have not visited them.
“Besides the borewells scheduled to be built in their jurisdiction are awaiting a nod from them,” Hassab said.
Mohammad Amir, a resident said that the hand pump was constructed some time ago but the water is gushing out with the result it is of no use to people.
He blamed the local elected representatives for taking unnecessary decisions and not considering the demands raised by the people with which the local population is made to suffer for want of portable water.
Notably, in recent days, several protests were held in different parts of Langate against the administration for failing to provide water to the people for household chores.
Meanwhile Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Handwara Nazir Ahmad said that the administration is here to facilitate the people and the concerned department is initiating the required steps.
He said that there is an increase in the population and with the surge in demand we will continue to facilitate people
About the cracks in well, the ADC said that it is a matter of inquiry and if anyone from the respective area comes up with a complaint a committee will be set up to probe the claims.
