Srandoo residents block Kulgam—Ang road, demand drinking water

Kulgam : The residents of Srandoo area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district Monday staged a protest against the Jal Shakti department for failing to provide them with the potable drinking water.
Reports said residents came out on road to register their protest and blocked the Kulgam-Anantnag road and raised slogans against the Jal Shakti department. They accused the concerned department of putting them up to face the hardships despite Ramadhan.
“We are without water from the last 3 months. We are forced to walk long distance to get the water. Despite holy month of Ramadhan, we are left with no option but to come out and walk distance to get drinking water,” the protesting women said.
As the protestors blocked the road to press for their demands, the concerned officials reached the spot to pacify the protestors. Tehsildar Kulgam, Bilal Naseem said that he assured the protestors that their problem would be addressed at the earliest. Following his assurance, the residents called off the protests
Shortage of teachers hit Hajin, Ajas Colleges, students suffer
Bandipora : Students of newly established Government degree colleges at Ajas and Hajin in north Kashmir’s Bandipora on Monday complained about lack of teaching staff, thereby affecting studies of students.
The students said that most of the posts of professors at the both colleges are vacant for the past several months due to which students are suffering and almost half of the academic calendar has been lost due to the deficiency.
They said that the authorities have failed to depute teaching faculty in the above colleges as there is a 70 percent shortage of staff in the colleges. “Callous attitude of the authorities has failed the initiative,” said Zainab, one of the students.
“What was the hurry to start these new colleges without staff. The government should have given a thought to it before announcing colleges,” she questioned.
Asmat, another student while seeking the intervention of Commissioner Secretary Higher Education said the current situation has put the career of students at stake. “There is no doubt that the education system in our district is in a mess and needs urgent measures to safeguard the future of the students,” alleged a group of locals.
Meanwhile, officials said that the colleges across Kashmir are facing dearth of staff as the contractual recruitment for the colleges has taken a longer time this year. “This shortfall will be met in the coming days,” they said