Pulwama, Aug 09 (KNO): Panic gripped Daferpora village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after several residents fell ill, allegedly due to contaminated drinking water supplied by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.
Locals said Daferpora, a small hamlet with around 40 households, has seen nearly 30 households affected in recent days. Most patients are suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), residents allege the water supply scheme in the area, constructed in 2002, has been neglected for over two decades. “The main water storage tank has never been cleaned since it was installed. We have been drinking from the same unclean source all these years. This negligence is now directly affecting our health,” said Ghulam Nabi, a local resident.
Another villager, Abdul Rashid, said repeated pleas to clean the tank and improve supply have fallen on deaf ears. “The government promised us a new water scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Land was identified and pipes were brought here, but the work never started. It is sheer negligence and indifference towards our suffering,” he said.
They have demanded an investigation for this reason at an earliest.
A senior health official confirmed that a medical team had visited the village to treat patients and conduct awareness sessions. “So far, 16 people have fallen ill, out of which 12 have recovered. Three fresh cases were reported today. The situation is under control and we have advised residents to drink only boiled water until further notice,” the official said.
Water samples have been collected from the supply line and results are expected by tomorrow. “Preliminary indications point to contamination as the likely cause,” the official added.
Villagers have urged the local MLA, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and PHE authorities to act immediately. “We cannot afford another such crisis. Clean drinking water is our basic right,” they said—(KNO)