Students block road against lack of drinking water

CHUINJ (UPPER CHITRAL): Students of Government High School (GHS) Chuinj in Upper Chitral, including a large number of girls, staged a protest and blocked the Mastuj-Yarkhun road for several hours on Tuesday, demanding the immediate provision of clean drinking water at their school.

The protesting students carried placards and chanted slogans against the concerned authorities and elected representatives, saying it was shameful that schoolchildren were being forced to come out on the roads to demand a basic necessity.

“We are not asking for luxury; we only need clean water to drink. It’s a basic right,” said one of the students.

They warned that if a proper piped water supply was not arranged within 24 hours, they would permanently block the main road.

“If the authorities don’t address this issue immediately, we will have no choice but to continue blocking the road to draw attention to our demand,” another student added.

The students said the existing water supply line to the school had rusted, leading to the supply of scant and dirty water. Teachers from other areas posted in the school and staying on the premises have to fetch water from the river located far off the school.

“The water coming through the rusted pipe is causing health problems for many of us. It’s affecting our concentration in studies and our overall well-being,” explained a student from a remote area.

The students urged the district administration and the education department to take immediate steps to resolve the issue.

The District Education Officer (DEO) has yet to respond to the students’ demand, but local authorities were reportedly working on a solution.