KATHUA: Miffed over the wretched attitude of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, the villagers of Palli and other adjoining villages staged a protest blocking National Highway at Palli Morh for more than an hour in support of their demand. On the other hand, the people of Barnoti blocked National Highway against Power Department.
There was a strong resentment amongst the villagers of Palli as they are being deprived of water facility since one month and despite repeated requests neither the concerning department nor the administration bothered to sort out their hardships.
The protesters including women and children raised slogans against the government burning tyres on the road.
Another protester Raghubir Singh said since independence we are struggling for the facility of safe drinking water. There is no proper arrangement for drinking supply in the Kandi belt. “The tube-wells in the villages do not work especially during the summers. Presently also there are damaged motors lying at different tube-wells.
On the other hand, the people of Barnoti blocked National Highway as they were reeling under darkness since ten days.
The protesters said neither the government nor the local representatives bother to listen to the grievance of public. Alleging the anti-public attitude of the department officials, they further said that despite repeated pleas they do not bother to mitigate the grievances of the public. The protesters further alleged the attitude of concerned department for not giving an ear to their problem. Beside repeated requests, the officials do not bother for them, compelling them for agitation.
Following the news of blocking road DySP Headquarter and Officers of concerning departments rushed to the spots to mitigate the problem. It was their assurance only that protesters rolled back their protest.
The protesters warned of severe consequences if the departments fail to meet their demands until evening.