Bandipora, Feb 12, KNT: People of Naninara locality in Sumbal town of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday staged a strong protest against the Power Development Department over the installation of smart electricity meters in their area.
The protesters assembled in significant numbers and raised slogans against the move, asserting that the locality is economically backward and incapable of bearing what they described as additional financial burden. They said most families in Naninara survive on daily-wage earnings and struggle to meet basic needs.
The agitating protesters stated that the area comprises marginalised sections of society, including a substantial population of fishermen and other low-income groups. They expressed apprehension that the installation of smart meters would worsen their financial condition and push vulnerable families into further hardship.
The protesters urged the government to assess the socio-economic realities of the locality before implementing the smart meter rollout. They demanded that Naninara be exempted from the installation process, keeping in view the fragile economic condition of its inhabitants.
The demonstration continued for several hours as residents reiterated their demand for intervention from the administration.[KNT]
