Mohalla Choki without PHE water supply

People from Choki in Mendhar lodge protest with empty pots. -Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor
People from Choki in Mendhar lodge protest with empty pots. -Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor

Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, May 15: Residents of Mohalla Choki of Ward No 1 and 2 of Mendhar town in border district of Poonch are without PHE water supply for the past over five years.
The locals alleged that today when people are scared of the corona virus and hesitate to come out of their homes, the people from Chowki area are forced to move out and fetch water from the far off natural sources and other mohallas. The PHE authorities have failed to take repair work and restore supply.
They alleged that during 2018, residents wrote a letter to PHE authorties at Mendhar. It was alleged that soime wards have been discriminated deliberately by the PHE officials concerned due to the reason best known to them. Women of the locality have to walk out to fetch water from wells and a nearby stream, they added.
A few locals namely, Ashok Sharma, Rahul Sharma, Subash Chander, Gulshan Kumar, Rajneesh Sudan alleged that water supply has been cut off to their locaility for the past over five years. It has proved disastrous for the poor and helpless people of these wards in Mendhar town. The people are forced to bring water from the wells and streams, they alleged.
” Most of the families, who are dependent on the public water supply, are poor. We are not in a position to instal water pumps in our houses. While lashing out at Sarpanch, Panch and politicians, the residents added that they come to their homes only at the time of elections.
“First they come, seek votes in the name of providing basic civic facilities but after winning polls, they disappear till next elections. The Panch and Sarpanch simply betray poor masses,” the locals alleged.
They sought intervention of District Development Commissioner Poonch and Chief Engineer Jammu into the matter. Meanwhile, the local women also lodged brief protest keeping empty pots in the lane.
Tehsildar Mendhar, Dr Vikaram Kumar when conacted over the issue said he was not aware of the matter. He assured to hold inquiry and resolve the issue.

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