Sajid Raina
Bandipora, Jul 5: Irked by the unavailability of drinking water, residents of Shahgund villages on Monday held a protest against the “Jal Shakti Department” and disrupted the traffic movement on Sumbal-Sopore road.
The protesters said that for past several weeks the unavailability of water in the region has given a tough time to the inhabitants.
“Water problem has remained one of the major issues in the area with locals drinking impure water from nearby muddy canals, ” they said.
The protesters blocked the Sumbal-Sopore road near irrigation colony Sumbal with men and women carrying empty buckets chanting anti-Jal Shakti department slogans.
“Our kids often complain of different ailments. We are forced to drink impure water every day. Our health has deteriorated, whom we will complain,” residents said.
“We regularly pay the water bills, still there is no water,” Fareeda Bagum said.
“Where should we go when water is the basic human need,” she said.
Protesters appealed to the authorities for timely restoration of water supply in the area.
“In case the government failed to provide us the water we will again hit the streets,” they said.
Despite repeated attempts no officials from the Jal Shakti department were available for the comments.
