Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Jun 13: Scarcity of drinking water supply and unscheduled power cuts in north Kashmir’s Sopore town on Tuesday triggered multiple protests across the township, with irritating people accusing PDD and Jal Shakhti departments for ignoring their plights, the residents have demanded immediate redressal of their grievances.
Shouting “Hamari Maangey Puuri Kro” (Redress our demands), scores of women from old town Sopore blocked the road at Jamia bridge, and of similar kind, women protestors blocked Sopore – Tarzoo road at Hathishah, however, was later restored after police intervention.
The protestors who are up in arms against the administration as well as concerned departments said they are reeling under darkness due to unavailability of electricity besides, water scarcity has led to great inconvenience to them.
“There is no drinking water in their area and they are being compelled to fetch raw water from river Jehlum and drink contaminated water which is unhygienic and health hazardous for us,” said a protestor. “We brought the issue into the notice of the concerned officers several times, but yet to avail.”
Another protester said: “We do not receive proper power supply as per schedule and frequent power cuts have become a daily affair”, another protester said. “No schedule has been framed for power cuts by the department.”
“Power development department snaps electricity whenever they find it good, mostly during peak hours. Since Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed 25 percent sudden power cuts, the town is witnessing the power cuts and hardly gets electricity as per schedule”, they said.
The residents urged the Lieutenant Governor led administration to look into the matter, so that it could give a sigh of relief to them.
Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, S. A Raina said, that the supplies are currently less and the issue will be resolved soon.
