KL Report
SRINAGAR
Amid chill, hundreds of people in different areas of Kashmir Valley staged massive protests against Power Development Department over the worsening power scenario in Valley. Reports said that residents of Gopalpora and Wathoora in Chadoora blocked traffic for hours and raised anti-government and anti-PDD slogans. The protestors targeted the National Conference-Congress coalition for failing to ensure regular supply of electricity despite the biting cold conditions in the Valley.
Angry protesters did not allow any vehicle to ply on the road and refused to disperse even after the assurances given by police and district administration. Protestors including men, women and children spent hours on road and threatened to launch an agitation against the government. “This government is a total failure and its approach towards the people are negative. Not speaking of winters, we even not get electricity in summer,” Reyaz Ahmed a protestor of Gopalpora told CNS.
People also protested in Mehjoor Nagar area of Srinagar against the continuous non-availability of electricity in the area. The protestors alleged that the area is reeling under darkness after the few inches of snowfall.
In South Kashmir’s Kadipora in Anantnag, people alleged that PDD has failed to restore the electricity in different parts of the town. Protests against PDD were also reported from Pakharpora in Central Kashmir and Tahab in Pulwama. “During elections National Conference had promised to supply continuous electricity, water and build good roads, but they have failed on all the three fronts,” said an angry protestor, Fayaz Ahmed, of Tahab Pulwama.
People also staged a protest and blocked the road at Omar Abad Zainakot alleging that the area is reeling under darkness from past three days while PDD authorities are taking no steps to restore the electricity. The protestors also complained of waterlogging and said that despite repeated pleas, Srinagar Municipal Corporation is showing no interest address the problems of people.
When contacted a top official of PDD told CNS that due to continuous snowfall, several electric poles were uprooted as a result electricity was snapped in different party of Kashmir valley. He said that electricity would be restored by evening on Thursday.
