Addar Bijbehara residents protest shortage of potable water
Say forced to consume unsafe river water, demand urgent govt intervention
Anantnag: The residents of Addar Bijbehara on Tuesday staged a protest at the old National Highway in Khanbal area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district alleging that they have been left without access to safe drinking water for weeks.
The protesters, including men, women, and children, said they have been forced to fetch water from the river Jhelum. However, with the river turning muddy in recent days due to incessant rains, locals said it has become impossible to use it for drinking or cooking purposes.
“We have no alternative source of clean water. Earlier, we somehow managed with river water, but now it is so muddy that we can’t even boil it for use,” said Ghulam Rasool, a resident.
Another local, Shabnam Jan, expressed frustration over what she termed as “continuous neglect” by the authorities. “It is unimaginable that in this day and age we are left without drinking water. Our children and elders are suffering. We appeal to the higher-ups to wake up from their deep slumber,” she said.
The residents claimed that their locality has been without a proper drinking water facility for a long time, and repeated pleas to the Jal Shakti Department have gone unheard.
“We have approached officials several times, but nobody listens to us. Are we not citizens of this place? Why are we deprived of such a basic necessity?” questioned another protester, Mohammad Yousuf.
The aggrieved villagers demanded immediate intervention from the administration, urging the authorities to ensure regular water supply to their area before the crisis worsens.
