MLA Marh moves to defuse protest, work temporary halted
SUMIT SHARMA
Jammu: A wave of public dissent emerged in village Panjore, Kana Chak, as residents staged a protest against the installation of Smart Meters and the laying of PDD cable lines in their area. The protest, which took place between 12:20 PM and 1:00 PM, was led by Ex-Sarpanch Sham Lal Sharma and witnessed participation from around hundreds of men and women of the Panchayat.
The demonstration was peacefully dispersed following intervention by MLA Marh, Surinder Kumar, who assured villagers that their grievances would be taken up with the administration.
The unrest was triggered by an incident on November 26, when five village women — Kanta Devi, Sheema Devi, Babita Devi, Pooja Devi, and Radhika Sharma — visited SDM Marh office to raise concerns about Smart Meter installation where they were allegedly given warning remarks against interfering in government work, threatening strict action in case of obstruction.
Following the incident, hundreds of villagers, led by Ex-Sarpanch Sham Lal Sharma, gathered, expressing resentment over remarks.
Residents emphasized that their protest was not against government policy but aimed at ensuring transparent implementation and equitable treatment for border-area Panchayats, including a 50% concession in electricity bills.
The villagers contacted MLA Marh Surinder Kumar, who visited the site and addressed the gathering. The MLA clarified that Smart Meter installation is a UT-wide initiative across Jammu & Kashmir and assured the villagers that their concerns regarding border-area Panchayats and electricity bill concessions would be taken up with the concerned departments.
“After having information regarding the protest and possible law and order problem, I rushed to the spot and pacified the agitators”, said MLA Surinder Kumar, when contacted.
Reports said that after discussions with the MLA, the protest dispersed peacefully and the installation of Smart Meters in Panjore has been temporarily put on hold. No untoward incident was reported.
SDM Marh Pallavi Mishra when contacted said that she had heard the protestors patiently and assured them of putting the same to the higher ups. She said that the work on installation of the meters has been put on hold.
