Protests against water scarcity turned violent in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district early on Friday morning.
Locals told The Kashmiriyat that for the past several days, they have been complaining to the authorities to restore water supply in the Chenabal area of Pattan, but to no avail.
“The holy days of Muharram are going on and it is unfortunate that the officials have paid no heed to our demands. After several days of complaints and requests, we protested on Friday morning and blocked the traffic on the Srinagar- Jammu Highway,” said a local.
During the protests, the officials reached to the spot and asked the locals to allow the traffic that had been blocked for over one hour, however, the locals did not allow the traffic to move, said officials.
An official said that the locals restored to stone throwing on the officials, during which several vehicles suffered damage and many persons were injured.
During the protests, Media Incharge Kashmir, Adv. Sajid Yousuf Shah, and Social Media Incharge, Er. Sahil Bashir Bhat, were also injured.
The Senior Superintendent of Police for Baramulla reached the spot and spoke to the residents.
In his conversation with the residents, he assured them an immediate redressal of the water issue.
“I acknowledge that the area is suffering from the issue of drinking water for a long time, but violence is not the answer,” he told the locals.
Sajad Lone of Jammu Kashmir’s People’s Conference condemned the Police action and said, “What on earth is happening in Chenabal, Pattan. People are simply registering their protest against scarcity of water. And what is the response of the JK police. It is as if they are at an encounter site. Can u please start listening to people and render a “supreme sacrifice” of treating humans as humans.”
As per the latest reports, traffic has been restored in the area after the visit of the SSP Baramulla.