Udhampur residents protest water scarcity, power cuts

Deepanker Gupta

Udhampur, July 15

Up in arms over perpetual power cuts and water scarcity, locals have been holding protest demonstrations in the district for the past few days.

Irate residents of Barta and Sarota areas staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today. They raised slogans against the Power Development Department (PDD) and the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and alleged that the authorities have failed to solve their problems, forcing them to come on roads.

Although PHE and PDD officials claim that sufficient water and power was being supplied, residents in many parts of the city have been complaining about erratic and inadequate supply.

Similar protests have been seen in various parts of the region. Residents of Sallian Talab, Rathian, Tikri, Mand, Jib, Thathi, Ossu, Darsoo, Kaisherah, Barta, Jaganoo, Mansar, Garnai, Battal, Malhar, Barmeen, Thanoa and other adjoining areas had come out on streets in large numbers and taken out a protest march from Slathia Chowk to the office of Executive Engineer, PDD, and Executive Engineer, PHE, Udhampur.

Sham Lal of Rathian had alleged that people were being forced to drink water from pond and nullahs, owing to acute water shortage. “We have apprised the authorities of our miseries but they are not paying heed to our demands,” another protester said. Protesters had threatened to block the national highway if their demands were not met on time.