Handwara,Jul, 20: A peaceful protest over the prolonged drinking water crisis was held outside the Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Handwara on Monday after residents of Kral-Batapora, Langate, assembled to demand immediate restoration of potable water supply and improved public service delivery.

The protest gained momentum after Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Langate, Sheikh Khursheed, joined the demonstrators and expressed strong resentment over the alleged absence of senior officials from the division office during working hours.

The protesting residents alleged that they had repeatedly approached the Jal Shakti Department over the past several years regarding the acute shortage of drinking water but, despite repeated assurances, no practical solution had been implemented on the ground. They said the persistent water crisis has caused immense hardship to the local population.

Speaking to Headlines Today, MLA Sheikh Khursheed said a delegation of residents from Batpora Langate had approached him seeking intervention in the matter. He asked them to assemble at the Jal Shakti Division office so that the issue could be taken up directly with the concerned authorities.

"I reached the office at around 10:50 am and waited for nearly ten minutes. However, I found that only one Junior Engineer (JE) out of eight had reported for duty, while the Executive Engineer (Exn) and all Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) were absent," the MLA said.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the alleged absenteeism of officials, the MLA locked the main gate of the division office, describing the situation as unacceptable.

"People, particularly those from my constituency, are suffering due to an acute shortage of drinking water, but the officers responsible for addressing their grievances are not even punctual in attending their duties. How can the public expect efficient service when officials themselves fail to remain accountable?" he remarked.

The legislator said government offices exist to serve the people and stressed that absenteeism and lack of accountability would not be tolerated. He urged the Jal Shakti Department to ensure the regular presence of officials in offices and take immediate measures to restore drinking water supply to the affected areas.

The protest continued peacefully until around 2:00 pm, when Tehsildar Handwara Zeeshan Khan and officials of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department met the protesters and assured them that their grievances would be addressed on priority.

Following the assurance, the demonstrators dispersed peacefully. MLA Sheikh Khursheed thanked the residents for maintaining peace and expressed hope that the department would fulfill its commitments without further delay.

In a significant development later in the day, the Office of the Assistant Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti (PHE), Sub Division Handwara, issued an order for the immediate adjustment of field staff to improve the functioning of the water supply system.

Under the order, nine field staff members were transferred and reassigned to different water supply schemes and operational areas in the interest of government work. Officials said the reshuffle was aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening field-level management, and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of drinking water to the affected areas.

The developments have raised expectations among residents that long-pending issues related to drinking water supply in Kral-Batapora and other parts of Langate will now receive timely attention from the department.