Water shortage evokes protest in Handwara areas

Kupwara, July 16: Water shortage sparked protests on Tuesday at two different places in north Kashmir’s Handwara sub district.

The first protest was registered by people on Handwara-Baramulla highway near Ganapora crossing which led to disruption of traffic for quite some time.

The protesters, mostly women, raised slogans against the Jal Shakti Department for failing to address their issue. "We have been suffering since long due to non-availability of drinking water but the concerned department seems to be insensitive towards the issue. The officials have taken us for a ride leaving no option other than registering a protest," said a protestor.

The protesters said that they have brought this issue into the notice of the concerned department numerous times, but to no avail.

Following assurance by Police of redressing the issue soon, the protesters dispersed peacefully and the traffic was restored.

A similar kind of protest was registered by the residents of Moomin Abad Gonipora area of Handwara at Talri bridge thereby disrupting traffic on Handwara-Vilgam road.

The women protesters while raising slogans said that they have been suffering due to lack of potable drinking water for the last several days but the concerned department was doing nothing to address the issue.

The protesters dispersed peacefully following assurance by Police of redressing their issue.