Locals Protest Against Inflated Power Bills and Alleged Bribery in IIOJK

Tensions are rising in IIOJK as residents of Kulgam district take to the streets, protesting against corruption and soaring electricity bills they say are crippling their daily lives.

A wave of public anger swept through the Kraloo area of Kund, located in the Kulgam district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as locals launched a protest against the Power Development Department (PDD).

The demonstrators accused the PDD staff of extortion and demanding bribes from residents in return for reducing their inflated electricity bills. Holding placards and shouting slogans, the protestors demanded accountability and transparency from the department.

Speaking to the media, the residents expressed deep frustration over being forced to pay unfairly high power tariffs, despite consistently clearing their bills every month. “We are regular with our payments, yet the officials demand additional money without any valid reason,” one local complained.

The protestors claimed that instead of providing relief, the PDD officials are exploiting the situation for personal gain. They alleged that corrupt practices have become rampant in the area, with department staff openly seeking money from residents under the guise of adjusting or lowering electricity charges.

Residents say this extortion racket has been going on for months, and attempts to address the issue through official channels have fallen on deaf ears. With no other option left, the community felt compelled to come out on the streets and make their voices heard.

The locals also questioned how electricity bills could be inflated despite limited power supply in the region. Many parts of Kulgam continue to experience long power outages, yet the charges remain disproportionately high.

This protest highlights the growing discontent among people living under Indian occupation, where corruption, exploitation, and lack of basic services remain constant challenges. The situation is further aggravated by the absence of effective governance and public accountability mechanisms in the region.

The demonstrators called on higher authorities to immediately intervene and launch a thorough investigation into the alleged bribery and misconduct within the PDD. They demanded the removal of corrupt officials and implementation of fair billing systems that reflect actual electricity usage.

The protest in Kulgam is not an isolated incident. Across different areas of IIOJK, similar grievances have been raised, indicating a broader pattern of mismanagement and exploitation under India’s administration.

Until concrete action is taken, the people of IIOJK say they will continue to protest, demanding justice and the basic right to transparent public services—something they feel has long been denied to them.