Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Jul 26: People on Wednesday staged a protest in Sopore areas against the installation of smart meters by the Power Development Department (PDD).
An eyewitness said that men, women staged protests and raised slogans against PDD ar Takyabal and Jalalabad localities of Sopore.
The protestors blocked the Sopore-Bandipora road at Police station and Jalalabad respectively, thus halting the traffic movement. Later, traffic was restored with the intervention of police.
People said that their families cannot afford inflated bills generated by smart meters.
“We are poor families here and the majority of our men are daily wagers. We are earning hand to mouth and can’t afford enormous bills,” they added.
“We already have meters installed in our homes and we are paying regular bills. What is the fun of installing new meters?” a protestor asked. “This is injustice to us as we poor people can’t afford such huge bills.”
She said they are feeling a bigger pinch in their pockets because of inflation.
Notably, protests against installation of smart meters across the district are reported time and again.
