Bandipora villagers ‘Wanwun’ mocks authorities failing to provide potable water

Bandipora, June 11: The residents of Nowgam village in Sumbal Sonawari division of north Kashmir's Bandipora district Tuesday held a unique protest to mock authorities for failing to provide them potable water supply.

The women assembled in protest against the Jal Shakti Department at Junction Mohalla Nowgam and blocked the Sumbal-Singhpora road for a few hours.

The protesters said that the department had failed to provide potable water supply to the area.

“Ha Khudayoo, Treishe Dadeh Iseh Hai Gaye Zayoo; Daad Bozuh Souni Khudayoo, Treishe Dadeh Iseh Hai Gaye Zayoo (Oh God! Our life is a waste without water; Listen to us oh God! Our life is a waste without water,” the women sang in unison, synonymous with the Kashmir weddings.

However, this time it was to highlight the plight of drinking water shortage.

The women continued to sing with verses mocking officials and local authorities.

The protesters said that even though the department was providing them drinking water via water tankers, it was not adequate and most of the time the tankers did not turn up.

The protestors said that they had been deprived of drinking water supply for over 15 days now.

“We have to buy bottled water for drinking and eating purposes. Our children are suffering as they are not able to maintain proper hygiene,” lamented the locals.

Mushtaq Ahmad Lone a local said that the area used to receive drinking water supply for several years.

“The government sanctioned a Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. However, due to the slow pace of work, it is not getting completed even after several representations to the concerned authorities,” Lone said.

He said that the residents, especially women, often have to travel long distances to fetch water from springs and streams.

Echoing same concerns, former sarpanch of the area, Shabir Haider said, “The authorities sanctioned a water supply scheme to the area but the work on the project is not being executed in a time-bound manner."

He said it was a fact that the population, especially women of the area, were suffering as the department had not been able to provide potable water supply to their homes.

Meanwhile, the protesters appealed that their issue be addressed on an urgent basis.

Also shouting slogans against the concerned department, the protestors walked off peacefully following assurances of the local officials.