Protest against PHE, road blocked for 4 hrs

Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, June 19: Facing acute water shortage in Gursai and adjoining area, the people in large number, including women and children came out on Mendhar-Suranakot road and held protest demonstration and dharna for about four hours today.
At around 7 am today, the people came out on the main Mendhar- Surankote road and raised barricades at Gursai. The mob including women and children along with their empty water pots sat on dharna on the road and started raising slogans against PHE authorities Mendhar, District Administration Poonch and the Minister concerned.
They alleged that water supply was not regular and adequate and moreover, the department has failed to provide tanker supply to the villagers during these hot summer days. They said local water sources have gone dry and people are unable to get water. The tankers are indulging in sale of water and pick and choose is being adopted. There was no proper check of the senior staff.
Later, SHO, Gursai and Naib Tehsildar concerned rushed to the area. They assured the people to take up the issue with concerned AEE and Xen for improving water supply position. The public then lifted dharna at around 11 am. The traffic remained stranded on the road for hours.