Residents, particularly women, from several localities of Sopore town including Sangrampora, Mumkak, Khwaja Gilgit, and Khushal Matoo on Tuesday staged a protest against the Jal Shakti Department, alleging that they have been deprived of adequate drinking water supply for the past one month.
The protesting women while blocking the road at busy Shah Dargah chowk here in Sopore, affecting halt of trafficular movement for an hour, they expressed strong resentment over the prolonged water crisis, stating that the department has failed to ensure regular water supply despite repeated requests and complaints from the affected residents.
Raising slogans against the authorities, they demanded immediate restoration of drinking water facilities in their areas.
The protesters said that due to the persistent shortage, they are being forced to fetch water from nearby rivers and other unsafe sources, which are unfit for human consumption. They warned that the use of contaminated water poses serious health risks and could lead to the outbreak of water-borne diseases, especially among children and elderly people.
“We have no option but to collect water from the river. The water is not safe for drinking and is causing serious concerns about the health of our families. Our children are particularly vulnerable to water-borne diseases,” the protesting women said. They further alleged that despite approaching the concerned officials of the Jal Shakti Department on several occasions, no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the issue. “We have repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of the department, but our grievances have fallen on deaf ears,” they added. The residents appealed to the District Administration Baramulla and senior officials of the Jal Shakti Department to intervene and address their genuine demand without further delay. They said that the people of these localities have been suffering immensely due to the water crisis and can no longer endure the hardships caused by the lack of a basic necessity. The protesters warned that if the issue remains unresolved, they may be compelled to intensify their agitation in the coming days.
