Mawer residents protest against Jal Shakti Deptt in Handwara

Kupwara, Oct 13: Dozens of vehicles were stranded on Monday after residents of Kumar Mohalla, Walrama in Mawer blocked the Handwara-Kupwara road to protest against the Jal Shakti Department for failing to provide them tap water for several years.

The protesters, predominantly women, assembled in front of the Handwara Division office of the Jal Shakti Department, chanting slogans against the authorities.

Speaking to reporters, the residents said they have been facing severe hardships due to the prolonged lack of drinking water. “We have been deprived of drinking water for over a decade. The department has failed to provide adequate supply despite repeated requests,” said a female protester.

The residents added that previous appeals to the department had gone unheeded, forcing them to take to the streets. “We have lodged multiple complaints in the past, but no solution has been provided. Every other day, we are compelled to pay up to Rs 500 to tractor owners who fetch water from a pond nearly ten kilometres away,” they said.

The protesters appealed once again to the authorities to ensure a steady supply of potable water to the area.

The protest was later peacefully dispersed after intervention by a police party, which pacified the demonstrators.