‘Shortage of drinking water, ration has made life hellish’
Mohammad Harris
Baramulla: While Kashmir witnessed heaviest snowfall in the last 20 years reviving old memories of harsh winters, Hajibal village nestled in lofty mountains overlooking Baramulla town remained cut off from district headquarter since a week adding to the woes of people living in the village. With 6 to 7 feet snow recorded in the area, the village is reeling under complete darkness and scarcity of drinking water has made life ‘hellish’.
Known as bastion of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) given its past voting turnover in its favor, the villagers lament official neglect and political inference as it continues to remain cut off. The authorities have failed to restore its sole road connectivity with its town and adjacent villages due to which people are facing grave hardships.
“Due to heavy snowfall our village is completely cut off from Baramulla town and there is no electricity from past six days besides drinking water pipes have also got frozen and authorities have turned blind eye to our miseries,” said Sameer Ahmed, a local resident.
“Our entire village has voted in favour of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in past and ensured it’s win in both assembly and Parliamentary elections but after elections the ruling party forgot this village like anything and left us on the mercy of God,” he added.
The heavy snowfall has also damaged several residential houses, cowshed including other huts and water pipelines and electric poles due to which people are facing grave hardships and forced them to remain indoors.
“There are many patients who are in need of medicine and frequent checkups by doctors and the only road link to our village is blocked with snow. We are mostly worried about expecting ladies, what we would do if there is any medical emergency,” asked Ghulam Nabi, another local resident.
The villagers also said that they are facing shortage of essential commodities and ration because their ration depot is located 14 kilometers away in Barmaulla old town.
When contacted Tehsildar Baramulla Moin Azhar Kakroo who monitors snow clearance in Baramulla, he said, “Road to Hajibal is very steep and hilly so JCB operators were reluctant to carry out snow clearance on the road given risk of skidding. We had already cleared sow upto to Shah Hamdhan colony,” he said.
“We are working on it and snow cutter has been sent to clear the snow. I hope soon the connectivity and essential services will be restored.”
