Protest in Sopore, Srinagar over water shortage
Sopore/Srinagar: Residents of Neharpora and Ibrahim colony of Arampora Sopore village in north Kashmir Thursday took to streets against the Jal Shakti Department for failing to provide adequate water supply to them.
Scores of residents including women blocked the road outside Jal Shakti Department at Iqbal market.
Shouting slogans against the department the protestors were demanding immediate restoration of water supply to their areas, witnesses said.
The protesters said they are facing immense hardships due to acute shortage of water supply from the last more than four months. They alleged that officials in the department have failed to provide water supply to them in these summer days.
Meanwhile, police reached the spot and assured the protesters that their demands will be taken up with the concerned authorities. The assurances by the police made the protesters to disperse peacefully.
Meanwhile, officials in Jal Shakti Department Sopore said that the issues have sprung up due to the old water pipes that are used to supply potable water to these localities.
“The supply lines are not in a position to bear additional pressure of water as a result many areas are facing hardships,” an official said.
However he assured that the demands of residents will be fulfilled soon.
Meanwhile, people suffering from prolonged water shortage in the scorching heat came out on the road and blocked traffic to draw the authorities’ attention to their suffering and agonies.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people mostly women from Firdous Colony Eidgah area of Srinagar city hit to Ali Jan Road and blocked it for traffic.
They said they are suffering immensely due to continuous water shortage. The protesters raised slogans against PHE Department and accused officials of being arrogant and ignorant.
The blockade of road caused traffic jam and the authorities diverted traffic onto alternative routes, where, too, traffic moved slowly.
Some of the female protesters were seen carrying pitchers and utensils. “In this heat, we are unable to take bath. There is no drinking water in our houses. We are facing hardships due to negligent behavior of PHE Department,” the protesters said.
A police party from Safa Kadal Police Station rushed to spot but the protesters didn’t budge. It was only when police called PHE officials who assured people of redressal of their grievance that protesters dispersed peacefully.
Earlier, residents of Haba Kadal area of city held a protest against shortage of water. (with inputs from KNT)
