Anger brewed in the Lachmanpora locality of Batmaloo on Monday as residents took to the streets to protest against the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, accusing it of failing to provide a regular drinking water supply. The protesters blocked the main road in the area, bringing traffic to a halt for a considerable time.
Carrying empty utensils in their hands, locals voiced strong resentment, saying that they have been left to suffer without water despite raising the issue repeatedly with the concerned department. “Our complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Families are struggling every day, yet officials show no urgency,” a resident remarked.
The protesters said that the water shortage has forced them to travel long distances to fetch water, which has created severe inconvenience, particularly for elderly people, women, and children.
The road remained blocked for some time until police and civil officials reached the spot and tried to pacify the demonstrators. The residents, however, warned that they would intensify their agitation if regular water supply is not restored at the earliest.