Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Apr 22: Fed up with the false promises of concerned authorities to repair the damaged irrigation canal before upcoming Kharif season, farmers from Dhareja village of Bhaderwah held strong protest against Public Works Department (PWD) for its failure to redress their problem.
To express their resentment over the attitude of concerned authorities, dozens of farmers assembled at Chinar Mohalla of Bhaderwah and while raising slogans against PWD, blocked the Bhaderwah-Sartingal road for hours demanding repair of damaged canal, so that they get irrigation water for their land.
Due to blockage of road, employees and students of Bhaderwah Campus and schools faced hardships to reach their destinations.
The protesters alleged that callous attitude of PWD is forcing them to face problems due to non availability of irrigation water during the season of Kharif crop. They added that the canal water is the only source of irrigation for lands in the area and farmers will not able to sow Kharif crop, if canal is not restored.
Later, SHO Bhaderwah Munir Khan along with JE PWD Najeeb Ahmed reached the protesters and pacified them by assuring that the concerned department will restore the canal by evening.
After getting assurance, farmers called-off their protest and restored the traffic on road. They announced that if water supply was not immediately restored, they will be forced to resume their protest again. They also warned of holding protest demonstrations on Bhaderwah-Doda highway if their demand will not be met by evening.
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