Jahangir Lolabi
Kupwara, Nov 04 (GNS): Residents of several villages in Sogam and and adjoining areas of Lolab on Wednesday staged strong protest demonstrations against Power Development Department (PDD) over erratic electricity supply to the remote areas of this north Kashmir district.
Reports reaching to GNS said that scores of residents, including traders of Sogam Lolab took to streets this afternoon and staged a protest against the alleged apathy of the Power Development Department (PDD) for dodging the scheduled power supply to the local inhabitants.
The protestors, as per reports, alleged that despite time to time appraisals, the concerned authorities are not paying attention towards their problems.
Farooq Ahmed, a local inhabitant said that they have already brought the issue in the notice of concerned authorities on several ocassion, however no concrete step has been taken so far to mitigate their sufferings.
The protestors on the ocassion urged the PDD to address their issue on a priority basis, otherwise they will hit the roads, reports said.
Advisor to the Chairman Block Development (BDC) Mushtaq Ahmed Lohar said that not only the areas are facing issue of electricity supply, the poles and High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) lines are even lying in a dilapidated condition.
“Electricity lines are hanging on the walnut and willow trees on several spots in the areas”, Mushtaq said adding “The PDD is not bothering about the issue despite for the fact that it can claim lives of residents at any time.”
Protestors alleged that PDD has been dodging the power schedule with impunity which has been overcasting shadow on the exam preparations of students.
Er Mudasir Social Activist & President Lolab Youth organisation backing the claims of fellow protestors maintained that “We are not protesting for any whim of ours, however this callous approach from PDD department has forced us to take to streets, despite reaching out to them (PDD) through all possible mediums.”
Urging the LG-led dispensation to intervene in the matter, the activist said that “Amid the ongoing examinations of students coupled with anticipated harsh winters, we urge Honorable Governor to intervene and accordingly direct the department concerned to restore the electricity supply as per sketched out schedule.”(GNS)
