Aasif Malik

Handwara, 17 February (KNS): Residents of Mailikpora village of Haril area of Mawer Handwara are up in arms against the authorities for failing providing the potable drinking water to the residents.

According to aggrieved residents, despite the passing of several months, we are with out portable drinking water.

The residents claimed that they have informed the concerned authorities several times but without avail.

Mohammad Shafi, a resident of the area told KNS we appeals many times to phe department to see matter but they failed .

The inhabitants, while lashing out at the recently elected District Development Council member and chairperson, said that during the election “they (the elected DDC members) were continuously visiting the area for their votes. However, after the elections got over, they never visited the area.”

Another resident, Sakeena Begum told KNS that they are hardly receiving adequate water supply from the last six months. “In winters we have to fetch drinking water from the nearby streams where animals also drink the water,” she complained.

She said during winters the residents face a lot of difficulties, as “the Jal Shakti Department has made a water bowl in the forest areas, where it is impossible to reach the location due to the apprehension of the wild animals.”

Another resident of the area said the water pipes were installed three years ago. “But since then the pipes would remain dry for every six months,” he said.

He alleged that due to consuming drinking water from nearby streams, their “children are getting infected with the water-borne diseases.”

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Handwara Nazir Ahmad Mir told KNS that “he will look into the matter.”(KNS)