Protesters block highway over drinking water crisis in Banihal

Banihal, Oct 14: Residents of Mirpora Kharpora, located on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Banihal town, staged a protest against the acute drinking water shortage in their area.

They blocked the vehicular traffic movement for over half an hour.

The protesters, including men and women, assembled on the highway at 11 am, demanding adequate water supply. They complained that their village receives water only occasionally, forcing women and children to fetch water from distant springs.

A local resident Muhammad Ashraf Mir said that despite being located on the highway, their village has been struggling with water scarcity for over a decade. “We have repeatedly raised our voices, but the Jal Shakti department sub division Banihal has ignored our issue always,”he said.

He said this attitude of department forced villagers to block the highway due to the severe water crisis, which has also affected their livestock.

SDPO Banihal Manjeet Singh and AEE Jal Shakti Ejaz Ahmed Malik rushed to the spot and  assured protesters of adequate water supply within two days.

Following the assurance, the protesters lifted the dharna from the highway and allowed  to resume traffic movement on highway.

When contacted AEE PHE sub division Banihal Ejaz Ahmad Malik said that the village Mirpora Banihal is getting water supply on alternative day and “we will ensure daily water supply for them in coming days.”