Tahir Bhat
Kupwara
The residents of North Kashmir’s Shumnag Bala, Shumnag Payeen, Solina villages of district Kupwara live age of primitive times. The basic facility of drinking water is missing in their area. Locals allege that it is the official apathy.
Talking to Kashmir Life, a resident of the area said that the area has no water supply since decades “and in bone chilling winter amid snowfall the local women folk had to fetch water from wells and river.
The three villages according to data comprises of 500 households. The residents alleged that they are without drinking water facility and the governments have never bothered. “Our women have to walk in this harsh winter to fetch water from wells and streams,” said a local Bilal Ahmed lone.
The locals said that “we drink the water of wells and streams but owing to increased pollution we are scared to further consume it and this has posed serious threat to our existence.” an elderly Abdul Ahad said.
Residents accused the successive governments of neglecting the area. “Till date, no government provided us drinking water facility. We have been using water from streams and wells. But now, due to pollution we are concerned,” Ahad added.
While lashing out at politicians, the residents said that they come to their village only at the time of elections.” First they come, seek votes in the name of providing basic civic facilities but after winning polls, they disappear till next elections. The politicians simply betray poor masses, “blames the residents..
Kashmir life contacted Farooq Ahmad AEE PHE Division Kralpora Tehsil, he said “that a water supply plant is under construction and by the end of March it will start its operations. The drinking water will be supplied to these villages thereafter.”
Peoples Conference leader and lawmaker from Kupwara Bashir Ah Dar said that the “issues of drinking water that the villagers face will be resolved on priority.”
