Murtaza Mushtaq
Handwara, Jan 14 (GNS): Hundreds of residents in several villages in Handwara on Thursday held protest demonstrations over scarcity of potable water to the local populace for nearly a fortnight now.
The agitating residents belonging to villages including; Drungsoo, Shahnagri, Khudi, Naugam, Lawoosa, Qalamabad, Pohru Chakla, Langate, Shatgund Bala and Haril alleged that despite the authorities spending huge sums of money, the water supply facility in the area off and on goes defunct especially in these harsh weather conditions.
The protestors said that water supply pipeline in the area has been laid superficially which exposes the pipes to frost amid winter chill, resulting in their blockade.
“This situation has altogether aggravated as the temperatures have considerably gone down over last few weeks”, they said.
Alleging the authorities of an indifferent attitude towards their genuine concern, the locals said “It is because of this callous approach that the locals are compelled to consume water running in the local canals.”
Locals said that they approached the concerned authorities on several occassions, however the assurances made have fallen flat as nothing significant has been done on ground.
The locals have requested top-officials of the concerned department to look into the issue at an earliest to restore the essential supply.
Meanwhile when contacted Executive Engineer PHE department (Jal Shakti) Zubair Ahmad told GNS that water tankers were being sent to every possible area where the supply has remained cut off in during past few days.
“We will be looking into the matter for an early redressal of the issue”, the official said.
Meanwhile newly-elected DDC Mawar Khursheed Ahmad Dar during the day arranged water tankers, out of his own expenses, to facilitate the residents with potable water supply. (GNS)
