Life in Isolation: Machil’s Chontiwari Doban village cries for basic amenities

Kupwara, Nov 3: The residents of Chontiwari Doban village in the Machil sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have expressed strong resentment against the authorities for failing to ensure basic facilities in the area.

Locals said the village, home to around 3,000 people, continues to face severe hardships due to poor infrastructure, lack of healthcare, and administrative neglect. They accused the concerned departments of turning a blind eye to their long-pending demands.

A health centre established years ago in the village remains largely defunct due to the absence of adequate staff and medical facilities. “After repeated pleas to successive governments, a health centre was sanctioned here, but it has always remained understaffed. The people are forced to travel miles to seek medical help,” said a local resident.

He added that the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Duddi, located several kilometres away, is difficult to access, especially during harsh winters when the entire Machil area remains buried under several feet of snow. “During heavy snowfall, reaching Duddi becomes impossible. Several patients have died before receiving treatment,” he said.

Residents demanded that at least a gynaecologist and basic emergency facilities be made available at the Chontiwari Doban health centre to meet the needs of the population.

They also urged the administration to upgrade the existing infrastructure, ensure proper road connectivity, and provide regular electricity and water supply to the remote village.

The residents have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene and address their long-standing grievances.