Kashmir turned into a ghost town
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
1 more succumbsDozens injured in CRPF, Army, police beating80 arrestedTroopers loot shops
Mir Tariq/ Bandipora, Baramulla, Aug 26: The entire Kashmir valley was turned into ghost town on the third consecutive day of curfew Tuesday while one person who was critically injured in Hajin on Monday when police and CRPF troopers opened fire on a peaceful process succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday morning.There was no relaxation in the curfew throughout the day in all the 10 districts of Kashmir while locals said paramilitary CRPF troopers beat everyone who came out on the roads.Srinagar the war zone
Srinagar city continued to look like a war zone with the CRPF troopers having erected barricades on the main roads at close distances.Even the by-lanes were not safe as CRPF troopers chased people, young and old, male and female. In the wee hours, the troopers ransacked a baker’s shop at Rambagh near diamond silk factory and ruthlessly beat the people who had gone to collect the bread for the breakfast.“Although the shop is located in a by-lane the troopers asked him why he had opened the shop and defied curfew orders and then without waiting for the answer kicked out the flour inside his shop,” said Muhammad Rajab, an elderly person who watched the proceedings from his window.The troopers throughout the city were seen yelling at the population to come out from their houses and start dingdong battles with them. “The troopers in the old city yelled at us ‘Aao humse maqabal karo’ (Come and fight with us). They continuously kept repeating this,” said Abdul Mohamin. Mohamin said that the troopers pelted stones at the residential houses in the locality throughout the day.He said: “The paramilitary CRPF troopers at Alamgari Bazaar raised slogans ‘Aiyee Aiyee Lashkare Aiyee (Lashkar has come, Lashkar has come) and Goli ke boli ab boliye ge (Now the barrels of gun will speak),” said Mohamin.At Nadiyar Rainwari troopers thrashed a youth, Javid Ahmad Dar, when he was walking all alone in the by-lane. His friend Irfan said that two vehicles of CRPF on finding him alone severally thrashed him. “He was walking in the by-lane when CRPF got down and said to him: ‘Now say Lashkar aiyee Lashkar aiyee’ and started to kick him,” said Irfan.He said as he whined in pain and started to cry, the youth of the area cordoned the two vehicles of the paramilitary troopers. “Seeing the mood of the people, the troopers hurriedly fled from the spot,” said Irfan. “After sometime they returned and pelted stones at the residential houses damaging windowpanes of at least 15 houses.”At Bilal Colony Soura, paramilitary CRPF troopers beat a milk seller and threw his 50 kg of milk on the road when he was distributing milk to the needy people in his residence.Paramilitary CRPF troopers were on a rampage in Saraf Kadal, Nowhatta, Khanyar and beat the inmates, locals said. In Malapora area of Jamia Masjid, troopers barged into the houses of Bashir Ahmad Wani and Abdur Aziz Zargar and beat them to pulp and ransacked their houses.In civil lines area of Nowgam, the troopers took two youth in custody, an eyewitness said. He said: “Both the youth were released but the troopers ran away with their clothes. They were sent home completely naked.”For Owais a Non Resident Kashmiri (NRK) who stays in Saudi Arabia paying a visit to his relatives at Channapora was for the first time since 1993 was a nightmare. “On Sunday I was going to the airport when RR stopped me near Sanat Nagar. They told me to go back. I showed them the ticket which is treated as curfew pass everywhere in the world but they just tore that to pieces,” said a visibly shaken Owais.“They then started to slap me and took away my passport. One RR troopers started to cut it but I pleaded them to at least see and respect the Indian emblem,” he said. Owais said that the RR troopers hurled invectives at him saying, “You want Azaadi. Now we will show what Azaadi is.”He said it was difficult for him to live in this place where there was no value for a human life.Meanwhile policemen at Ram Munshi Bagh station beat another policeman in civvies on Tuesday. According to eyewitnesses Abdul Ahad, a police constable was beaten by another policeman identified as Mohi-ud-Din of Ram Munshi Bagh Police Station when he was heading towards his police station.Hospitals reject juices for patientsThe residents of the city who had raised funds and sent two barrels of juice to the SMHS hospital were disappointed when the hospital officials told them that they cannot take the barrels of juices for the patients because of orders by higher authorities.As the news of patients suffering from want of food reached people in the city, some good Samaritans collected money and sent them two barrels of juice. These good Samaritans sent the two barrels of juice to the hospital through the media men and when at 3.00 pm media men went to the hospital with much difficulty, they were returned dejected by the hospital authorities.SMHS Medical Superintendent, Waseem Quershi returned us dejected, Kashmir Photojournalist Association President Farooq Javed said. “He curtly said that they don’t have the permission to take juices from the common masses. Take them back we don’t want to give any impression that we are running short of anything,” said Javed who had taken two barrels of juice along with other media persons to the hospital.
Another Hajin youth succumbsA youth who was critically injured in Monday’s firing at Hajin Bandipora succumbed early Tuesday morning.Three persons including an aged woman were killed on Monday in firing by Police and troopers at Hajin Bandipora and around 60 injured, some of them critically.A carpet weaver Bashir Ahmed Bahar, 28, son of Muhammad Ramzan of Bahrabad was also injured critically on Monday after he was hit by a bullet.Bahar succumbed to injuries early Tuesday morning, hospital authorities said.Meanwhile, hundreds of people came out on streets in various villages of Bandipora including Hajin, Madvan, Saderkoot, Prang, Saiadaunara, Ajas. The protestors were demanding probe into the killings and unprovoked firing at people.Hajin residents stopped from attending funeralThe residents of Hajin Bandipora district alleged that the district administration, Police and paramilitary CRPF troopers stopped them from participating in the funeral prayers of the four persons who were killed in Monday’s firing at Hajin, Bandipora."Police and CRPF troopers are not allowing us to participate in the funeral prayers," said Showket Ahmed, a resident of the area.Troops loot shopsThe residents of Hajin area of north Kashmir alleged troopers of looting their shops after Monday’s firing here.Around 20 shops have been looted in the market near Khanqa Masjid in Hajin, locals said. The troopers threw dozens of carts of vendors into river Jhelum and burnt several in Hajin market."Besides looting cold drinks worth Rs 20,00, troopers destroyed my shop on Monday," said Muhammad Amin, a shopkeeper. “They killed innocent people and looted products worth thousands of rupees from our shops."Member of Hajin Traders Federation said that one can notice dozens of carts of vendors lying in river Jhelum and several burnt in the Hajn market. “They also damaged hundred of shops by spraying bullets. This should be probed and compensation given to the affected," they said."I requested a trooper not to burn my cart but they would not listen. They set it ablaze and also beat me up to pulp," Abdur Razzaq, a vendor said.Meanwhile, people in various villages like Nadihal Gundpora and Gund Kaiser tried to defy curfew but were pacified by the Magistrate Ghulam Ahmed Khan.Besides raising pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-Indian slogans, protestors were raising slogans against DC Bandipora who according to protestors had ordered police and troopers to open fire at the peaceful protestors on Monday.40 arrested in nocturnal raids in BaramullaAround 40 persons were arrested in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district during the nocturnal raids by Special Operations Group of Police and Army Monday night.Locals said that the SOG and Army personnel forcibly entered into their houses during the night, beat inmates and arrested the men.“It seemed that police and troopers are not able to come to the grip of things since the successful rallies called by the Jammu Kashmir Coordination Committee. Now they are attacking every Kashmiri because they know everyone participated in these rallies,” said Muhammad Naseem, a resident of Baramulla town. Army, CRPF beat womenfolk in TralThe residents of Chandrigam village in Tral area of south Kashmir on Tuesday alleged that the Army and paramilitary CRPF troopers Monday night entered into their residences and ruthless beat small girls, women, men and youth, looted household goods and damaged the residential houses.Locals said that the Army men and CRPF troopers were furious after Monday’s peaceful demonstration by locals in which they raised pro-freedom slogans.“They forced their entry into our houses during the night and misbehaved with the womenfolk and ruthlessly beat everyone in the houses,” said Muhammad Amin, a resident of Chandrigam.11 injured in Dooru, 40 arrested in IslamabadFive civilians and six paramilitary troopers were injured in day long clashes in Dooru area while troopers of Rashtriya Rifles arrested at least 40 persons in south Kashmir’s Islamabad district. The troopers also broke the window panes of Jamia Masjid Islamabad.Station House Officer Dooru, N S Parihar said 11 persons including six CRPF personnel and 5 civilians were injured in the dingdong battle between locals and paramilitary CRPF personnel.The clashes started early in the morning and continued till 8:30 pm.The RR troopers also forcibly entered into the houses of the locals and arrested 40 youth, residents said.“Besides, they also roughed up the inmates including the womenfolk. Four persons including a woman Ruby were seriously injured in the assault by the RR troopers,” locals said.Earlier, Monday night the residents of Islamabad attacked an Army camp in Kaniwan, 8 km from Bijbehara after the army arrested six youth of the area. Following the attack on the camp the army set all six youth free.Bomb hoax creates panic in GMC JammuPanic gripped Government Medical College, Jammu when a bomb hoax Tuesday evening gave anxious moments to troopers and hundreds of attendants and the patients.Reports said that GMC authority received a call that a bomb had been planted in the hospital following which Medical Superintendent, GMC and CMO called the police. A police team reached GMC Jammu complex at around 5:30 pm soon after the news of the possible presence of a bomb was broken to them by the GMC authorities. The GMC complex was thoroughly checked by the Kennel (dog) Squad for the bomb. “It turned out to be a hoax call. Police squad searched the emergency ward. The police team along with the bomb disposal squad reached the GMC complex within minutes,” said a police official.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
‘Atrocities’ on Kashmiris continue
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
CRPF troopers beat youth suffering from paralysis: Locals
Mir TariqKulgam/ Bandipora, Aug 28: People across the Valley said that the army and paramilitary CRPF troopers Thursday continued atrocities on them.
In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district paramilitary CRPF troopers today barged into the houses and severely beat inmates including a youth suffering from paralysis.Locals said during curfew relaxation, CRPF troopers without any provocation forcefully barged into the houses and thrashed inmates of all ages and genders. Locals alleged that troopers ransacked some houses.At Srandu Kulgam, troopers barged into the house of Master Abdur Rehman Bhat and beat his paralysed son Aijaz Ahmed. Ahmed who has spinal cord injury is suffering from paralysis for the past six years.“The troopers entered the house and beat Aijaz ruthlessly. His father was pleading with them to at least spare his son who is suffering from paralysis but they paid no heed,” Bhat’s neighbour Abdur Rashid said. As the news of beating Aijaz spread in the area, people in large numbers came out on streets and staged a protest with him in the wheel chair. As people from the adjoining villages flocked to take part in the protest demonstration, paramilitary troopers opened fire in the air to disperse the procession. Meanwhile, people in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district took to streets and demanded the release of Hurriyat leaders.Authorities had relaxed curfew in the Bandipora from 7:00 am to 11:00 am but had to curtail lit an hour early as people from various villages protested against the arrest of pro- resistance leaders. People pelted stones on police and paramilitary troopers while raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.The district tehsildar Ghulam Ahmad Khan rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protestors. However, the protestors reiterated their demand of releasing the prisoners first following which troopers of 57 RR baton charged the protestors.
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
CRPF troopers beat youth suffering from paralysis: Locals
Mir TariqKulgam/ Bandipora, Aug 28: People across the Valley said that the army and paramilitary CRPF troopers Thursday continued atrocities on them.
In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district paramilitary CRPF troopers today barged into the houses and severely beat inmates including a youth suffering from paralysis.Locals said during curfew relaxation, CRPF troopers without any provocation forcefully barged into the houses and thrashed inmates of all ages and genders. Locals alleged that troopers ransacked some houses.At Srandu Kulgam, troopers barged into the house of Master Abdur Rehman Bhat and beat his paralysed son Aijaz Ahmed. Ahmed who has spinal cord injury is suffering from paralysis for the past six years.“The troopers entered the house and beat Aijaz ruthlessly. His father was pleading with them to at least spare his son who is suffering from paralysis but they paid no heed,” Bhat’s neighbour Abdur Rashid said. As the news of beating Aijaz spread in the area, people in large numbers came out on streets and staged a protest with him in the wheel chair. As people from the adjoining villages flocked to take part in the protest demonstration, paramilitary troopers opened fire in the air to disperse the procession. Meanwhile, people in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district took to streets and demanded the release of Hurriyat leaders.Authorities had relaxed curfew in the Bandipora from 7:00 am to 11:00 am but had to curtail lit an hour early as people from various villages protested against the arrest of pro- resistance leaders. People pelted stones on police and paramilitary troopers while raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.The district tehsildar Ghulam Ahmad Khan rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protestors. However, the protestors reiterated their demand of releasing the prisoners first following which troopers of 57 RR baton charged the protestors.
Curfew revives water transport in Bandipora
Mir TariqBandipora, Aug 30: Amid tough curfew restriction people are reviving the age-old tradition of water transport trough River Jhelum here in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.During the curfew the River Jhelum proved more helpful than the macadamized highways in Bandipora as all roads wore a deserted look.People here are using of Donga boats as vehicles to move from one place to another in Bandipora."The roads have been blocked by troopers and we are using shikaras to ferry passengers from one palace to another," said a boatmen Muhammad Afzal Dar. "We have put around 50 boats for the service of people."Another boatman Muhammad Ashraf said while traveling in boats, they try to avoid moving through the area where troopers patrol on the river banks."I helped a large number of students studying in different Indian states reach Srinagar wherefrom they had to reach the Srinagar Airport," said a young boatman of Sumbal.People from Bandipora town are using boats to move towards other villages of the district like Hajin, Banyari, Sumbal, Shahgund, Prang, Ajas, Saderkoot, Aloosa, Kema, Watlab and Adipora.The boatmen in Bandipora are not charging the people for ferrying them from one place to another but policeman and employees are being charged Rs 500 to reach Srinagar city.
Mir TariqBandipora, Aug 30: Amid tough curfew restriction people are reviving the age-old tradition of water transport trough River Jhelum here in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.During the curfew the River Jhelum proved more helpful than the macadamized highways in Bandipora as all roads wore a deserted look.People here are using of Donga boats as vehicles to move from one place to another in Bandipora."The roads have been blocked by troopers and we are using shikaras to ferry passengers from one palace to another," said a boatmen Muhammad Afzal Dar. "We have put around 50 boats for the service of people."Another boatman Muhammad Ashraf said while traveling in boats, they try to avoid moving through the area where troopers patrol on the river banks."I helped a large number of students studying in different Indian states reach Srinagar wherefrom they had to reach the Srinagar Airport," said a young boatman of Sumbal.People from Bandipora town are using boats to move towards other villages of the district like Hajin, Banyari, Sumbal, Shahgund, Prang, Ajas, Saderkoot, Aloosa, Kema, Watlab and Adipora.The boatmen in Bandipora are not charging the people for ferrying them from one place to another but policeman and employees are being charged Rs 500 to reach Srinagar city.
Curfew revives water transport in Bandipora
Mir TariqBandipora, Aug 30: Amid tough curfew restriction people are reviving the age-old tradition of water transport trough River Jhelum here in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.During the curfew the River Jhelum proved more helpful than the macadamized highways in Bandipora as all roads wore a deserted look.People here are using of Donga boats as vehicles to move from one place to another in Bandipora."The roads have been blocked by troopers and we are using shikaras to ferry passengers from one palace to another," said a boatmen Muhammad Afzal Dar. "We have put around 50 boats for the service of people."Another boatman Muhammad Ashraf said while traveling in boats, they try to avoid moving through the area where troopers patrol on the river banks."I helped a large number of students studying in different Indian states reach Srinagar wherefrom they had to reach the Srinagar Airport," said a young boatman of Sumbal.People from Bandipora town are using boats to move towards other villages of the district like Hajin, Banyari, Sumbal, Shahgund, Prang, Ajas, Saderkoot, Aloosa, Kema, Watlab and Adipora.The boatmen in Bandipora are not charging the people for ferrying them from one place to another but policeman and employees are being charged Rs 500 to reach Srinagar city.
Mir TariqBandipora, Aug 30: Amid tough curfew restriction people are reviving the age-old tradition of water transport trough River Jhelum here in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.During the curfew the River Jhelum proved more helpful than the macadamized highways in Bandipora as all roads wore a deserted look.People here are using of Donga boats as vehicles to move from one place to another in Bandipora."The roads have been blocked by troopers and we are using shikaras to ferry passengers from one palace to another," said a boatmen Muhammad Afzal Dar. "We have put around 50 boats for the service of people."Another boatman Muhammad Ashraf said while traveling in boats, they try to avoid moving through the area where troopers patrol on the river banks."I helped a large number of students studying in different Indian states reach Srinagar wherefrom they had to reach the Srinagar Airport," said a young boatman of Sumbal.People from Bandipora town are using boats to move towards other villages of the district like Hajin, Banyari, Sumbal, Shahgund, Prang, Ajas, Saderkoot, Aloosa, Kema, Watlab and Adipora.The boatmen in Bandipora are not charging the people for ferrying them from one place to another but policeman and employees are being charged Rs 500 to reach Srinagar city.
Police ammunition depot catches fire
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
Mir TariqBandipora, Aug 30: Mysterious fire erupted from the ammunition depot of Police Station Bandipora late Saturday night.Due to the mysterious fire, huge stock of explosives and ammunition in the ammunition depot of Police Station Bandipora near DC office were damaged tonight, police sources said.
No casualty was reported in the incident, they said.Fireballs leapt up into the sky as an old stock of explosives kept inside caught fire.The reason behind the fire is not yet known. Fire tenders battled the blaze for about two hours before it was controlled.Police officials at Police Station Bandipora claimed the fire was "minor'' and the cause of fire was not known but sources said police had sealed the area as soon as the fire was noticed and the fire-fighting operation started.Talking to Rising Kashmir, SSP Bandipora Sheikh Junaid said, “Mysterious fire erupted from the ammunition depot in the police station but the cause of fire is not known yet.""A huge amount huge stock of explosives and ammunition were destroyed," Sheikh added.The residents around the Police Station said that they were frightened due to the powerful blasts and come out of their houses.
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
Mir TariqBandipora, Aug 30: Mysterious fire erupted from the ammunition depot of Police Station Bandipora late Saturday night.Due to the mysterious fire, huge stock of explosives and ammunition in the ammunition depot of Police Station Bandipora near DC office were damaged tonight, police sources said.
No casualty was reported in the incident, they said.Fireballs leapt up into the sky as an old stock of explosives kept inside caught fire.The reason behind the fire is not yet known. Fire tenders battled the blaze for about two hours before it was controlled.Police officials at Police Station Bandipora claimed the fire was "minor'' and the cause of fire was not known but sources said police had sealed the area as soon as the fire was noticed and the fire-fighting operation started.Talking to Rising Kashmir, SSP Bandipora Sheikh Junaid said, “Mysterious fire erupted from the ammunition depot in the police station but the cause of fire is not known yet.""A huge amount huge stock of explosives and ammunition were destroyed," Sheikh added.The residents around the Police Station said that they were frightened due to the powerful blasts and come out of their houses.
Students demand release of detained youth
Mir Tariq Bandipora, Aug 31: Bandipora Student's Federation has demand release of youths arrested in connection with the recent protests here in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.The students’ federation after a long day meeting demanded immediate release of youths who have been detained by the police from various wards and villages of Bandipora.Condemning the arrest of youths, the executive body of the Federation have threatened a massive protest if the youths are not set free."We have decided to stage massive protests if the youths are not being set free before the commencement of Ramzan," said President BSF Muhammad Nazir Ahmed said in statement.Ahmed added, “We are informing the deputy Commissioner Bandipora Shiekh Mushatq and Bandipora Sheikh Juniad to release the detainees prior to commencement of Ramzan in order to maintain the law and order situation, which we didn't want to disturb.”Police have taken number of youths into custody in connection with the recent protests.Meanwhile, the Traders Federation of Bandipora have also demanded that the detained youths be released on priority keeping the commencement of Ramzan in view.Locals in the Bandipora township have assured full support to the student’s call if the administration does not fulfil the demand.Talking to Rising Kashmir President Traders Federation Saifudin Mir said, "We hope that the demand of release of detained youths will be respected by the Deputy Commissioner and SSP Bandipora keeping the commencement of Ramzan in view."
Mir Tariq Bandipora, Aug 31: Bandipora Student's Federation has demand release of youths arrested in connection with the recent protests here in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.The students’ federation after a long day meeting demanded immediate release of youths who have been detained by the police from various wards and villages of Bandipora.Condemning the arrest of youths, the executive body of the Federation have threatened a massive protest if the youths are not set free."We have decided to stage massive protests if the youths are not being set free before the commencement of Ramzan," said President BSF Muhammad Nazir Ahmed said in statement.Ahmed added, “We are informing the deputy Commissioner Bandipora Shiekh Mushatq and Bandipora Sheikh Juniad to release the detainees prior to commencement of Ramzan in order to maintain the law and order situation, which we didn't want to disturb.”Police have taken number of youths into custody in connection with the recent protests.Meanwhile, the Traders Federation of Bandipora have also demanded that the detained youths be released on priority keeping the commencement of Ramzan in view.Locals in the Bandipora township have assured full support to the student’s call if the administration does not fulfil the demand.Talking to Rising Kashmir President Traders Federation Saifudin Mir said, "We hope that the demand of release of detained youths will be respected by the Deputy Commissioner and SSP Bandipora keeping the commencement of Ramzan in view."
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Bandipora residents being supplied muddy water
Fear outbreak of diseases, demand clean drinking water
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 15: Residents in the municipal limits of Bandipora complained that they are not being supplied clean and hygienic water by the PHE department, leaving high risk for outbreak of water borne diseases. Residents of Bandipora's main town said that black water was pouring in from the taps. They also alleged that large quantity of sand and other particles were also pouring in from the taps. "The water is totally unfit for drinking purposes," they said.One of the resident, Malik Faheem said that the water supplied to them is muddy. "It indicates that either the sewage is getting mixed with drinking water or there is a leakage in water pipes," he said, adding, "If this can happen in an up market area where the top officials reside, the plight of the people living in the inner areas and small colonies can only be imagined".The residents said that there is every likelihood that water borne diseases may break out due to consuming of the filthy and unhygienic water supplied by the authorities. "We have taken up the matter with the concerned officials time and again, but of no avail. The officials have not even bothered to visit the area to take stock of the situation," said Mushtaq Ahmed resident of Ward No 1.He added, "We also brought the matter to the notice of the councilor. He had assured us that he will talk to the officials of the concerned department, but he too has ditched us and failed to get clean and hygienic water supplied to us".Renowned scholar and intellectual, Prof Abdul Rashid Nazki said, "People are suffering due to the callous attitude of the district officers. I fail to understand why the qualified officers have lost the responsible character in this technological period when illiterates are performing their duties honestly".The residents alleged that the local MLAs from 1996 have been misusing the funds (Rs. 8 crores), which were allotted for the construction of the filtration plant in the Bandipora. "The filtration plant is not functional and it should be probed," they said.The residents demanded that the filtration plant should be made functional so that clean and hygienic water is supplied to them.Meanwhile, the health department has advised people to boil water before using it for drinking purpose. "People should take boiled water in order to avoid falling prey to water borne diseases," said CMO Bandipora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Wani.He advised people not to drink direct water supplied from taps. Executive Engineer PHE, Ghulam Qadir Pinto said, "I will look into the matter. I will raise the issue with the concerned AEEs and filed staff".He said that immediate preventive measures will be taken to prevent people from landing in any sort of trouble. "We have only one filtration plant for the whole district and it is not sufficient to cater to the demands of people. We will demand setting up of few more filtration plants in the district so that pure and clean water is supplied to the people," he added.
( )
-->
Fear outbreak of diseases, demand clean drinking water
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 15: Residents in the municipal limits of Bandipora complained that they are not being supplied clean and hygienic water by the PHE department, leaving high risk for outbreak of water borne diseases. Residents of Bandipora's main town said that black water was pouring in from the taps. They also alleged that large quantity of sand and other particles were also pouring in from the taps. "The water is totally unfit for drinking purposes," they said.One of the resident, Malik Faheem said that the water supplied to them is muddy. "It indicates that either the sewage is getting mixed with drinking water or there is a leakage in water pipes," he said, adding, "If this can happen in an up market area where the top officials reside, the plight of the people living in the inner areas and small colonies can only be imagined".The residents said that there is every likelihood that water borne diseases may break out due to consuming of the filthy and unhygienic water supplied by the authorities. "We have taken up the matter with the concerned officials time and again, but of no avail. The officials have not even bothered to visit the area to take stock of the situation," said Mushtaq Ahmed resident of Ward No 1.He added, "We also brought the matter to the notice of the councilor. He had assured us that he will talk to the officials of the concerned department, but he too has ditched us and failed to get clean and hygienic water supplied to us".Renowned scholar and intellectual, Prof Abdul Rashid Nazki said, "People are suffering due to the callous attitude of the district officers. I fail to understand why the qualified officers have lost the responsible character in this technological period when illiterates are performing their duties honestly".The residents alleged that the local MLAs from 1996 have been misusing the funds (Rs. 8 crores), which were allotted for the construction of the filtration plant in the Bandipora. "The filtration plant is not functional and it should be probed," they said.The residents demanded that the filtration plant should be made functional so that clean and hygienic water is supplied to them.Meanwhile, the health department has advised people to boil water before using it for drinking purpose. "People should take boiled water in order to avoid falling prey to water borne diseases," said CMO Bandipora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Wani.He advised people not to drink direct water supplied from taps. Executive Engineer PHE, Ghulam Qadir Pinto said, "I will look into the matter. I will raise the issue with the concerned AEEs and filed staff".He said that immediate preventive measures will be taken to prevent people from landing in any sort of trouble. "We have only one filtration plant for the whole district and it is not sufficient to cater to the demands of people. We will demand setting up of few more filtration plants in the district so that pure and clean water is supplied to the people," he added.
( )
-->
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)