Srinagar, May 04 (KNS): The residents of Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday expressed resentment against the Power Development Department (PDD) for failing to take up the matter from last 15 days.

The resentment was shown by the people during Chief Engineer’s visit to the town over the issue pertaining to the people.

The locals said that it is unfortunate that people have suffered badly in last 15 days and no action was taken so far. “The Chief Engineer has visited the town after 15 days. We have suffered immense hardships during these days and now the authorities instead of resolving the issues are visiting the areas,” the locals said.

Earlier on Friday, inhabitants of Chowgul village of Handwara staged a protest against the PDD for failing to provide them adequate electricity since long.

The residents of the area took to the streets and blocked Kupwara-Srinagar highway at Braripora to mark a protest against the department.

The local protesters had told KNS that they have been compelled to hit the streets as the department has failed to provide them adequate electricity. “We are being forced to face immense hardships in absence of proper electricity,” aggrieved protesters said.

They said they get electricity only for one hour in 24 hours, thus pushing the locals here to the wall, saying it has also affected their daily chorus and studies of students.

“Even after the directions by higher authorities, the PDD division here seems least bothered about the sufferings of people as no action has been taken to ensure the sufferings of people are put to an end,” he said.

Aggrieved protesters threatened to intensify their protests in case their demands are not met.

"As the holy month of Ramadhan is inching closer, we don't see any hope of adequate power supply as the main grid has malfunctioned transformer system," they said, blaming PDD officials of Handwara for the mess due to their lethargic work culture.

Locals also said that daily 23 hour power cut after the shifting of main power transformer to a workshop for repairs has hit working of main facilities at district hospital Handwara and other business centres in the main town.

As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, the transformer got damaged due to mishandling by the local PDD staffers, was taken to a workshop for repairs but is yet to be brought back even after a laps of 15 days.

Earlier on April 22, 2019, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Handwara had written to the Executive Engineer PDD division Handwara, asking him to ensure adequate electricity is supplied to the villages.

However, no action was taken in this regard, locals rued. (KNS)