Sheikh Nadeem
The inhabitants of Gujjar Basti in Batagund top in South Kashmir’s Islamabad (Anantnag) district on Friday alleged that the government has failed to provide basic amenities to them.
“Our area is yet to be connected through a road link and we have to walk several miles from Batagund Top to reach other destinations,” the residents of Gujjar Basti, Batagund Top Dooru told The Kashmiriyat.
“Due to the absence of the road the elderly people, particularly the patients and expecting mothers, have to face many hardships as they have to walk several miles to reach a hospital, The problem worsens during winter. So, we urge the authorities to start the work on the road at an earliest so that our sufferings are mitigated,” locals added.
The residents further said that the village has no water pipeline. “We still live without drinking water facility, women have to walk several miles to fetch water from the adjoining areas.”
The village, according to the residents is also without electricity. “It is an irony that even in the 21st century our village has not been electrified yet,” A Local told The Kashmiriyat.
They said that as soon as the dusk sets in the entire village plunges into darkness and we use solar lamps and wooden torches like stone age era to enlightening our houses. A Year ago, the Power Development Department of Jammu Kashmir installed Electric poles without attached wires, Ghulam Hassan, a local said..
Najma Bushra and Rafaqat, students of Gujjar basti speaking with The Kashmiriyat said due to non-availability of power supply in 21st Century their studies are suffering immensely and they are facing immense hardships.
Despite the IAY Sheds and SBM Schemes, the residents of Gujjar Basti were not allowed any benefits.
The locals said that successive governments have failed to redress their grievances.
The Locals have appealed to District Magistrate of Anantnag and Lieutenant Government to look into the genuine demands and redress them immediately.