We too belong to Kashmir: Gujjarpatti Zaloora residents decry official neglect

Sopore, Feb 12: Residents of Gujjarpatti Zaloora, a remote village on the edge of Sopore bordering north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have expressed anguish over years of administrative neglect, asserting that they too are an integral part of Kashmir and deserve equal access.
From inadequate healthcare to erratic electricity and lack of safe drinking water, the villagers say they have been left to fend for themselves, with little government intervention.
The villagers said that despite being part of north Kashmir’s major township, the village still relies on outdated wooden electric poles, faces skyrocketing electricity bills without a steady power supply and suffers from acute water scarcity.
“Earlier, we used to pay Rs 110 per month, but now the charges have skyrocketed to Rs 1,000 or even Rs 1,500. We don’t even get proper electricity, so why should we pay such hefty amounts?” a local resident questioned.
Raising concerns over the severe water crisis, another resident said that despite having pipelines, there is no proper drinking water supply. “We have ‘Nal without Jal’ — there are pipes, but no water,” one of the aggrieved residents said.
The villagers appealed to the government, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to address their long-standing grievances and provide them with the basic facilities they are entitled to.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, S.A Raina, in a maiden public grievance darbar at the village assured the residents that their concerns would be addressed at the earliest.
Raina said several issues were resolved on the spot, while others beyond his jurisdiction would be taken up with the higher authorities.
Regarding the water scarcity issue, the ADC said that Zaloora and its adjoining areas are currently being supplied water from a nearby spring. However, he admitted that rising demands and a shortage of mechanical staff have hindered proper distribution.
“A Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme is already completed in the area, but lack of mechanical staff has delayed its implementation. We have taken up the matter and it is expected to be resolved soon,” he assured.