Jahangeer Ganaie
Anantnag, Nov 4: The residents of Poru in Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have expressed resentment against the local administration for “failing” to provide basic facilities in their area.
Residents said that despite living in the 21st century, they face a lot of issues like the lack of road connectivity, health facilities and potable water supply.
Imran Ahmad, a local resident, said politicians have used the area for political gains for the past 70 years, making promises during elections but never fulfilling them.
“We feel neglected and have been used by politicians for votes, who make promises during elections but fail to deliver on them,” he said.
Owais Khan, another local resident, said that the locals had taken matters into their own hands by cutting a temporary road from Gohinard to Poru, but the government has not repaired it, which is causing significant inconvenience to them.
“The lack of proper road connectivity has become a serious issue, especially during emergencies when patients have to be transported to hospitals on carts,” Khan said, adding that the residents have even resorted to selling their cattle to fund the construction of the temporary road.
Despite raising these concerns with various authorities, including chief ministers, ministers and governors over the past three decades, we have seen no improvements on the ground, the residents said.
They have urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Deputy Commissioner Anantnag to address their long-pending demands as soon as possible, saying they face severe hardships due to the lack of road connectivity, potable water and health facilities.
