Srinagar, July 19 :
Several people were injured and many vehicles were damaged in a clash between police and protesters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday, officials said.
The protesters blocked the Srinagar Baramulla National Highway at Chenabal, Mirgund Pattan over the persistent shortage of drinking water in their area.
The personal security officers of BJP leaders were also injured when protesters allegedly resorted to stone pelting.
Witnesses said a group of villagers from early morning gathered at the Highway and blocked it. The police intervened and tried to disperse the protesters, which they refused leading to the intense clashes between the two sides.
The police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd.
Officials said several persons were injured and many vehicles were damaged during the clashes.
BJP Media in charge Kashmir, Sajid Yousuf Shah, and social media in-charge, Sahil Bashir Bhat, were attacked by the protesters in the area. Their PSOs were also injured in the assault.
“ We have been demanding accountability from both politicians and government officials for the persistent water crisis in the area and today we were left with no option but to protest on the Highway,” said a resident of Chenabal.
As the tension mounted in the area, senior civil and police officers immediately rushed to the spot and tried to calm the protesters.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Amod Nagpure visited the site and assured villagers that their grievances would be addressed.
He told people that their grievance was genuine and appealed to them to restore peace.
The Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa and other senior officials from the Jal Shakti department assured the villagers that the water supply to the area would be streamlined.
“ A water scheme for the area is under construction and we hope in the next five to six months, it should become operational,” Sherpa said. ” Till that time water would be provided to the locality through tankers.”
Meanwhile, Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone asked authorities to listen to the people.
“What on earth is happening in Chenabal, Pattan. People are simply registering their protest against the scarcity of water. And what is the response of the JK police? It is as if they are at an encounter site. Can u please start listening to people and render a “supreme sacrifice” of treating humans as humans” he posted on X.
