Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, June 2: The people held strong protests at three different places against the severe water crisis in Mendhar Sub Division of district Poonch and also blocked road for several hours today. Click here to watch video
Official sources said that people from Dhar Galoon and adjoining areas today came out on Mendhar-BG Road at around 11 am and sat on dharna. They blocked road and started protest demonstration against PHE authorities for suspension of water supplies. They alleged that PHE authorities have failed to ensure supply of water. The road remained blocked for two hours. Later, with the intervention of SDM Mendhar, Tehsildar Balakote and SHO Mendhar moved to the site and they pacified the agitating public. The traffic was restored on the road at around 1 pm.
Another protest was held by the villagers from Bhera outside the office of SDM Mendhar. They staged strong protest and dharna for about one and half hour during the mid day today. Later, the villagers took up the matter with the Tehsildar Mendhar who assured to take up the matter with Executive Engineer Poonch and AEE, PHE Mendhar. The people then lifted their dharna at around 2 pm.
The people from Dhakki Bera also held protest against PHE Department and blocked Mendhar-Poonch Road from 8 am 12 noon today. The people were carrying empty utensils during protest and several women also joined the protest. The villagers raised slogans against PHE authorities and District Administration Poonch alleging that Government has miserably failed to ensure supply of water to the public. They alleged that local pumping station was lying out of order for the last two weeks and many pipes were lying broken in the locality. The officials concerned are maintaining criminal silence and Sub Divisional Administration was least bothered about the miseries of the public.
The SDM directed the Tehsildar and SHO to talk to the people and resolve the issue. Later, the SDM summoned AEE and AE and asked them to improve water supply position in Mendhar.