Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 6: Protests erupted today in Gojwara and Nawa Kadal areas of Srinagar against the installation of smart meters, as locals expressed concerns about their impact on the household budget.
The protestors, mostly women, gathered at the Gojwara and Nowkadal squares in the old city, causing traffic disruptions for several hours. They voiced their worries about the financial implications of the smart meters, fearing that they would further burden households already facing difficulties.
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In the early morning, both men and women protesters assembled at the Gojwara square as personnel from the Power Development Department arrived to install smart meters. They blocked traffic and chanted slogans denouncing the Government’s decision, citing its detrimental impact on the welfare of the people.
“Most of the people here are poor and cannot afford hefty bills. We would rather face dire consequences than allow the installation of smart meters in our area,” one woman said.
Later, the protesters held a strong demonstration at the Nawa Kadal square. The protestors expressed their distress over the Government’s decision to install smart meters at a time when the prices of essential commodities were soaring. “We cannot bear the financial burden that will come with these smart meters. Our income is meager, as the majority of people in our area work as salespersons, laborers, or street vendors. We can barely afford our children’s school fees,” explained a group of protesting women.
Adding to their grievances, one woman pointed out that since the abrogation of Article 370, the government has continuously implemented anti-people measures, as if seeking revenge from the people. “Instead of providing relief to the people, the government keeps imposing unjust measures one after another,” she lamented.
She further warned that the government’s actions were testing the patience of the people in the Valley, and that continued such measures would be met with strong resistance.
“We are already suffering from previous anti-people measures, and we will not accept this new measure as it directly impacts the survival of our families,” she said.
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