Waterlogged 200 kanals of land irk people

Install dewatering system: Protesters to Govt

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori)

Srinagar 25-Jun-2015

The ‘inability’ of the government to dewater a large chunk of waterlogged saffron and paddy land Thursday sparked a protest at Balhama Srinagar even as the protesters blocked the road causing disruption of vehicular movement for hours. The protesters from three localities of Balhama alleged that they are unable to use their arable land as the land according to them remain waterlogged most of the time. “The land comprising 200 kanals that belong to we people is idle. We used to cultivate Saffron and paddy on it but due to inundation we are now unable to do so. There is no dewatering system as a result we suffer heavily,” the protesters told CNS.The president of the Balhama Welfare Committee Ghulam Muhammad Dar said that the previous legislator from National Conference had assured them that a dewatering system will be installed in the area, but he did not keep his promise. “This time we voted for PDP candidate but so far he also has not done anything to meet our long pending demand,” he said.The protesters appealed to local legislator and the irrigation department to install a dewatering system in the area.Reports said that the vehicular movement was restored only after the intervention of police officials who assured the protesters that their issued will be taken up with the local legislator and the concerned department. (CNS)