Srinagar, Jun 9: Two soldiers died in an accidental grenade blast in Uri sector of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

A hand grenade exploded accidentally during routine handing over of equipment at a camp in Kamalkote in Uri, resulting in injuries to two jawans, the officials said.

They said the injured jawans were shifted to the Army’s 92 Base Hospital where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

Inquest proceedings as required under law have been initiated, they added.

Srinagar-based Defence PRO said he would comment on the incident only after getting details from the concerned officials.

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.

Pulwama, Jun 9: National Conference leader and Srinagar Member of Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday said he would participate in his party’s proposed protest in New Delhi and advocate for the restoration of both Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters in Pulwama, Ruhullah said the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar should not remain confined to a one-day demonstration but evolve into a sustained political movement aimed at restoring the constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I will go there to talk about the restoration of Article 370 and statehood,” he said.

The National Conference recently announced at its legislators’ meeting in Dachigam that party lawmakers would stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Ruhullah said the party’s struggle should go beyond the demand for statehood and include the restoration of Article 370 and other constitutional safeguards that existed before August 5, 2019.

“It should not be limited to the restoration of statehood alone, but should also seek the restoration of Article 370,” he said, adding that the people had given the National Conference a mandate to fight for the restoration of the constitutional and political rights that were altered after the abrogation of Article 370.

Commenting on the broader political situation, Ruhullah said lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir could only be achieved through justice.

He said several issues, including unemployment, reservation policies and land-related concerns, continue to generate public discontent and require urgent attention.

Referring to farmers in Pulwama, he alleged that they had been prevented from cultivating their land, describing it as an example of the injustices that must be addressed.

“Unless such injustices are addressed, there cannot be permanent peace,” he said.

The Srinagar MP also said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should focus on implementing the political commitments made to the people.

“Nearly two years have passed. We have yet to work on the constitutional and administrative issues,” Ruhullah said, stressing the need for greater attention to the promises made by the party regarding the restoration of rights and governance-related concerns.

On international developments, Ruhullah expressed concern over the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel, alleging that the Zionist regime was not interested in peace in the region.

He said hopes for de-escalation had emerged following diplomatic efforts and negotiations, but claimed that subsequent military actions had undermined those prospects.

“A hope for peace had emerged after the negotiations, but then they carried out a bloodbath in Lebanon,” he said.

Ruhullah expressed hope that the conflict would end soon and that lasting peace would prevail in the region.