IIOJK residents decry power tariff hike, demand road connectivity
Srinagar: In a wave of protests sweeping across the occupied Kashmir Valley, residents of Handwara and Uri took to the streets to demand justice over a hike in power tariffs and restoration of heavy vehicular movement on a critical road link.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in Handwara, scores of protesters gathered at the Power Development Department (PDD) Division, decrying a two-fold increase in monthly electricity tariffs, which they claimed was unaffordable for the largely poor and labor-class population.
Similarly, in Uri, hundreds of residents protested against the Power Development Department (PDD) for the hike in monthly electricity fees over the past year, terming it “unbearable” and “unfair”.
Separately, locals from Garkote village in Uri sought the restoration of heavy vehicular movement (HVM) on the Lagama-Garkote road, which has been closed for two months due to landslides, causing hardship for students, women, and elderly people.
The protesters have asked the authorities to address their grievances promptly, warning of escalated protests if their demands are not met.
