Srinagar

A number of men and women carrying empty pitchers in their hands protested against water scarcity in remote Maldera village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Acute Water Scarcity prompted people of Maldera village to take to roads.

“We have made several complaints with the PHE department but they did nothing. We have been deprived of drinking water since decades,” said a local resident who was part of the protests.

Interestingly, a number of freshwater streams flow through adjacent villages, still Meldera has no water.

To meet the demand government had provided them tube-wells but locals say these wells too have dried up now. “All we get from these tube-wells is soiled water which is not fit for drinking,” said another protestor. “We don’t want employment for our youth here. We just need water. We can’t even cook our meals.”

Villagers said that they have to walk miles to get clean water from the neighbouring village.

Owais Ahmad, District Commissioner, Shopian, said a number of water projects are underway to overcome the water scarcity in the area, especially in Maldera.

“We have already provided them with tube-wells but villagers use them for irrigation purpose. However we will try to resolve the issue soon,” said Ahmad.

Executive Engineer, Mohammad Aslam, blames natural disturbances for low water flow in the tube wells. “We are working on it. A special team is being assigned for its repairs. But for now a water tanker is being allotted to the village,” he said.

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