Special Correspondent: As India remains focused on crushing the Kashmiris’ UN-acknowledged right to self-determination, the daily hardships of the people in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir continue to multiply, fueling growing resentment across the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, residents of Batgund Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district staged a silent protest against an unjust and arbitrary hike in electricity tariffs that has hit poor and middle-class households the hardest.
The consumers said their monthly power bills have more than doubled in recent months, pushing families into financial distress in the midst of harsh winter and spiraling prices of essential commodities. They demanded an immediate rollback of the revised tariffs, saying the hike contradicts earlier public assurances given by authorities.
Locals pointed out that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recently stated there would be no increase in electricity tariff, asking who was responsible for the surge now reflected in the bills. “The Chief Minister had said there will be no increase in electricity tariff. Then who is increasing our bills? Was that statement just an eyewash to pacify people?” asked one of the protesters.
Residents said that ever since the National Conference assumed power, electricity charges have risen sharply. Families that previously paid around Rs 1,000 per month are now being billed between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,100, an increase they described as unbearable. “This is sheer injustice. We are daily wage earners and poor people. How can we afford such high bills in the middle of winter and rising inflation?” said another resident.
Many protesters voiced anguish that electricity has effectively become a luxury rather than a basic necessity. One local remarked, “If the government cannot provide affordable electricity, it should disconnect our power once and for all. At least we won’t be burdened with these huge bills every month.”
The residents urged the authorities to ensure that electricity remains affordable for ordinary people, urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally step in and roll back the tariffs.
