Budgam: Residents of Nassarpora Check Mohalla in Khag area of central Kashmir on Monday staged a protest against the prolonged shortage of drinking water, accusing the Public Health Engineering Department of failing to ensure basic water supply during the harsh winter season.
The protesters blocked the Khag Magam Road, disrupting vehicular movement. The demonstration later continued for about an hour, during which the residents raised slogans against the department, chanting “PHE Hai Hai,” to express their anger and frustration.
According to locals, the area has been without drinking water for several days despite freezing temperatures, causing severe hardship to inhabitants. They said the shortage has badly affected daily life, forcing families to struggle for even minimal water requirements.
Women, they said, are bearing the brunt of the crisis as they are compelled to walk nearly one kilometre to fetch water from a nearby stream. Residents alleged that the water from the stream is polluted and unsafe for consumption, posing serious health risks, especially to elderly inhabitants, children and patients.
A protester said the government often claims that drinking water has been provided to every household under schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission, but the ground reality in Nassarpora remains grim. “Where is Jal Shakti? We do not have even a single drop of clean water. We are suffering and yet deprived of our basic right to safe drinking water,” the protester said, terming the situation a gross injustice.
The protest led to temporary disruption of traffic, following which personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police reached the spot and restored normal vehicular movement.
Locals appealed to the district administration to take serious note of the issue and ensure immediate restoration of potable water supply. They also urged the local MLA from Khan Sahib to personally intervene and resolve the long-pending problem at the earliest.
Residents warned that if the authorities fail to act promptly, they would be forced to intensify their agitation in the coming days. [KNT]
