Langate,Apr,14: Residents of Doodkul village, located in the Mawar area of Langate in border district Kupwara, staged a strong protest on Sunday over the deplorable condition of roads and the lack of basic amenities in their area. The village, home to over 300 families, has reportedly been neglected for decades despite repeated appeals to authorities.
Villagers said that although Doodkul has been inhabited for more than 70 years, the area continues to suffer from poor road connectivity. The 3-kilometer stretch linking the village to the main road is riddled with massive potholes, resembling mini ponds, making travel not only inconvenient but hazardous—particularly during medical emergencies or for school-going children who use the road daily.
“Every day, our children risk their lives just to reach school. In cases of medical emergencies, the condition of this road has turned fatal in the past,” said one protester.
The villagers also raised serious concerns over the non-implementation of government schemes. “Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a distant dream for us. We had to jointly purchase plastic pipes from the market for drinking water supply. What kind of development is this?” asked a resident.
In a scathing attack on political representatives, the villagers accused elected officials—from Sarpanchs and DDC members to MPs—of ignoring their plight post-elections. “We voted for them with the hope of change, but they vanished after winning. Even jailed MP Engineer Rashid's son, Abrar Rashid, is busy touring Pir Panjal, while his neighboring village Doodkul is suffering,” another local complained.
They also named other leaders like Irfan Pandithpori, Mir Junaid, and Shaikh Khursheed, accusing them of making lofty promises before elections and abandoning the village afterward. The villagers lamented that their elected DDC member, Khursheed Ahmad Dar, and BDC representatives have yet to conduct even a single review visit to the area.
“We have been left at the mercy of God,” a protester said.
The aggrieved residents have appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to intervene directly and ensure road connectivity, potable water, and implementation of welfare schemes.
When contacted by Headlines Today, the Executive Engineer (Exn) of PMGSY stated that the road does not fall under their jurisdiction. However, the Executive Engineer of R&B Division Langate responded positively, saying, “If this road comes under our department, I assure a personal visit to the area within a few days to assess and address public grievances regarding road connectivity.”
The villagers now await action, hopeful that their voices will finally lead to meaningful development and long-overdue relief.
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