Early Times Report
Handwara June 26: Residents of four villages in frontier Kupwara district today stages protests against PHE authorities for failing to provide them the potable water during the holy month of Ramadhan.
According to press release, during protest women blocked the Rajwar-Handwara road near Kachiwara demanding immediate restoration of water supply, which they said was affected for past three days.
"Even at the time of Sehri and Iftar the water supply remains affected. We are forced to use the contaminated water from open sources due to shortage of potable water," said Farooq Ahmad Shah, from Kachiwara village.
Some other residents said that due to the incessant rains during past few days, the water in nullahs and ponds has become muddy and unsafe for human consumption. "Now that alternative sources of water have been rendered unsafe due to the incessant rains, we are left with no source of potable water. The department concerned is testing our patience even in this holy month," said Sarwa Begum, from Badkote.
The affected villages include Kachiwara, Badkote, Machipora and Baghatpora. The protesting women beat the pitchers and raised slogans against Public Health Engineering (PHE) department. SHO Handwara, Muzzafar Ahmad assured the protestors that authorities concerned would be apprised of their genuine demand. A PHE official said, a team of officials would visit the affected villages today and the problem will be addressed |
