Danishwar Hameed
Kulgam, May 13, 2025:
Scores of residents from Sheikh Mohalla in the Amnoo area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday, voicing their frustration over a prolonged electricity outage that has persisted for several months.
The protestors, many of whom carried placards and chanted slogans, gathered to express their grievances against the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL). They highlighted the severe hardships caused by the ongoing power crisis, stating that basic needs are going unmet.
"We have been living in darkness for more than two years," said one of the protestors. "Despite having Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards, which mark us as among the most economically disadvantaged, we are being denied a fundamental service."
The residents appealed directly to the district administration and the Deputy Commissioner of Kulgam to take immediate action and ensure the restoration of electricity to the area.
"This is not merely a matter of inconvenience," said another protestor. "It concerns our dignity and our right to essential services."
The protest concluded peacefully with the submission of a memorandum to local authorities, in which residents outlined their demands and urged the government to intervene. Locals expressed cautious optimism that their voices would now be heard and that electricity would soon be restored to the area.
