Author: editor

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ZAHID SHAH

BUDHAL SEPT 29:-In Village Kewal (Lower) area of Budhal Division, a serious shortage of drinking water had sparked growing public outrage due to prolonged JJM department inaction. However, tensions temporarily eased when Tehsildar Kotranka, Mr. Sahil Ali Shah, personally visited the village and held detailed discussions with local representatives and residents.

During his visit, the Tehsildar assured that drinking water supply would be restored within two weeks, requesting a final grace period. The protest, which was planned against the excessive delay, poor planning, and negligence under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) pipeline project, was postponed following this assurance.

The village has been facing a severe water crisis for months, affecting not just households but also schools, mosques, and health centers — leading to a near-emergency situation.

The Tehsildar, accompanied by the Assistant Executive Engineer and Junior Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department, visited various neighborhoods within the village. He reviewed the current water sources, non-functional schemes, and the condition of affected families.

He warned the concerned officials that strict administrative action would be taken if the water supply is not restored within two weeks. He instructed the field staff present on-site to ensure daily progress, maintain quality, and adhere to timelines.

Local leader and former Sarpanch Mohammad Farooq Inquilabi submitted a detailed memorandum to the Tehsildar, highlighting delays and allegations of substandard construction. Speaking to the media, Farooq Inquilabi said that while the administration’s response is appreciated, “this is not the time for promises but for real action.” He warned that if clean drinking water is not provided within the given deadline, the protest will expand further.

While local representatives and residents welcomed the visit as a positive step, they emphasized that symbolic gestures alone won’t solve the problem. Real relief will only come once the scheme is fully completed and sustainable water supply is ensured.

Public opinion urged the Jammu and Kashmir government, the Jal Shakti Department, and the district administration to prioritize Kewal (Lower) for clean water supply and address other basic infrastructural needs. Locals noted that although the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to deliver safe drinking water to every household, in many rural areas of Jammu & Kashmir — including Kewal (Lower) — the scheme has suffered due to mismanagement, delays, and substandard work. Despite spending crores of rupees, the on-ground results remain unsatisfactory.

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LIAQAT ALI KHATANA

RAJOURI SEPT 28:-When the Irrigation Department failed to respond to repeated pleas, residents of Upper Bhajwal A Panchayat took matters into their own hands, constructing a makeshift wooden bridge to restore water supply to a decades-old canal.

The canal, built nearly 70 years ago to irrigate fields and boost grain, fruit, and vegetable production, once served Nadhani, Kund, and adjoining villages. Originating from the Dokhoon forest in Upper Bhajwal A, the channel had long been a crucial source of irrigation, helping farmers supply produce not only to Sunderbani but also to Rajouri and Poonch districts.

However, years of neglect by the Irrigation Department, coupled with unchecked deforestation and hill-cutting in the name of development, reduced water flow and left the canal in a crumbling state. The final blow came in late August, when torrential rains washed away a large portion of the canal at its origin point.

Villagers say they approached the Irrigation Department in Nowshera repeatedly, but officials remained unresponsive. Even calls to Assistant Engineer Amit Kumar went unanswered. “We had no choice but to take matters into our own hands,” said local resident Kewal Krishan. Along with Daljit Kumar, Jeet Kumar, and Rakesh Kumar, villagers worked collectively to build a temporary wooden bridge across the canal in a single day, restoring the water supply.

Despite this community effort, the department has yet to take any corrective measures. Locals are now appealing directly to J&K Jal Shakti Department Minister Javed Ahmed Rana and the Chief Minister, urging them to intervene and wake the department from what villagers described as its “Kumbhakaran-like slumber.”

Farmers fear that unless urgent repairs are made, what remains of the canal system could collapse entirely, crippling agriculture in the area.

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RAJOURI SEPT 28:-In a major action against illegal forest trade, Rajouri Police successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle khair wood in Sunderbani area and arrested three persons involved in the act.

Acting on specific information, a police team from Police Station Sunderbani established a special naka at Prat Chowk. During checking, a truck bearing registration number JK21B-4327, coming from Kadma towards NHW Thandapani en route to Jammu, was intercepted.

Upon thorough inspection, the vehicle was found illegally loaded with approximately 40–45 quintals of khair wood without any valid documents or permission.

The driver, Mohd Munir, son of Mohd Yousuf, resident of Talab Tillo, Jammu, along with his two accomplices @ Asgar Ali, son of Yousuf Ali, resident of Kot Bhalwal, Jammu (24 years), andShah Amin, son of Ghulam Rasool, resident of Karloop Marh, Jammu were arrested on the spot.

A case FIR No. 63/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Sunderbani. The vehicle and the seized consignment have been taken into custody.

Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and destination of the illegal wood consignment.