Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, July 31: As ongoing unrest entered its 23rd day in Kashmir, people in Anantnag and Kulgam districts of South Kashmir are facing acute shortage of drinking water and kerosene oil, which has forced many to use water from polluted springs thereby putting them vulnerable to the water borne diseases.
At least eight villages from Kulgam including Larmi, Ganjipora, Munawarabad, Wanpoo, Qoimoh and four villages from Anantnag including Bangdar and Achajipora have scarcity of potable water which has forced people to revert to old water sources like springs. The places like Hevan Colony have reportedly not been allocated any sugar at all.
Locals of these areas alleged that the authorities have failed to provide drinking water and Kerosene oil to the people, which have aggravated their worries.
Mohammad Shafi, a local from Wanpoo, said: “Look at our taps they have dried up. There are no traces of drinking water from last one week. Even our cattle are bearing the brunt. We have now started to clean the old springs of our area which seems to be the only source of drinking water for us.”
An official at Deputy Commissioner’s office in Anantnag, when contacted, refuted such claims and said that there were five water distribution schemes which were working round the clock to provide potable water to the people without any interruption.
“However, there were reports that one such scheme had been damaged by some people which will be restored after some days,” he said, adding: “so far we have distributed 4200 quintals of sugar, 4800 quintals of rice and 3800 cylinders of LPG among the people.”
When asked about the dearth of Kerosene oil, he said: “We have not received any oil and as soon as it reaches us we will distribute it. Also, it is very difficult to transport and distribute an inflammable substance like kerosene oil in current crises.
“Recently, one of our vehicles which were carrying gas cylinders was attacked and people even tried to set it on fire. We have to operate very carefully keeping in view the present situation.”
He further added that staff members of Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (formerly CAPD) were thrashed at number of places but despite such adversity they are working diligently. “Our employees were beaten to the pulp at Kokernag and Kapran. People also need to understand. We are doing our duty only to serve the people,” he added.
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