Youth of Magam take initiative to clean polluted stream, Municipal Committee takes credit
Budgam, July 31, KNT: In a heartening display of community spirit, the youth of the Magam area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district came together to clean a heavily polluted stream that had been neglected for years. The stream, a vital water source for the local community, had become a dumping ground for waste and sewage, posing serious health risks to residents.
The youth, led by local volunteers under the banner ‘Lashkar-e-Mehdi’, spent several days clearing the stream of debris, plastic waste, and sludge. Their efforts were met with widespread appreciation from the community, who hailed them as heroes.
However, in a shocking turn of events, the Municipal Committee Magam took credit for the cleanup initiative, posting photographs on social media and claiming responsibility for the effort. This move has sparked outrage among locals, who accuse the committee of trying to hijack the youth’s hard work for political gain.
Furthermore, locals have alleged that the government’s ambitious National Water Mission has failed miserably, as no polluted streams in the district have not been cleaned for the last five years despite the initiative’s promises. “The government’s claims of improving water quality have fallen flat. If it weren’t for the youth, the stream would still be a dumping ground,” a resident told the news agency Kashmir News Trust asking Municipal Committee Magam to apologize for taking credit for the youth’s work. [KNT]
