Protests Erupt in IIOJK Over Financial Burdening Amid New Meter Installations

As residents of Budgam district in IIOJK face the looming threat of soaring electricity bills, protests have erupted over the installation of smart meters, with locals accusing the authorities of ignoring their economic struggles.

Residents of several villages in Budgam district have taken to the streets in protest against the installation of smart electricity meters, arguing that the move reflects the Indian-administered government’s indifference to the financial hardships facing ordinary Kashmiris. The protests, which have intensified in recent days, highlight growing frustration over government policies that are perceived to exacerbate the already dire economic conditions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

One of the major demonstrations occurred in Chek-i-Kawoosa village, where a large group of women gathered to block a road, raising slogans against the new metering system. Protesters are demanding an immediate rollback of the smart meter initiative, voicing concerns over the potential for skyrocketing electricity bills that could worsen the already heavy financial burden on struggling households.

“We can barely afford basic needs, and now these smart meters will make life unbearable,” said one woman involved in the protest. “The authorities seem blind to the hardships of the poor.” Many other residents echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that they are already grappling with high living costs, and the introduction of the smart meters would likely push them further into poverty.

Local elders and community leaders have also joined in the protest, condemning the new policy as an example of how government decisions are increasingly disconnected from the reality of Kashmiri life. “This is yet another example of a policy completely divorced from the realities on the ground,” said one elder. “Instead of addressing the severe economic difficulties faced by ordinary Kashmiris, the authorities are prioritizing measures that will only harm them further.”

Protesters argue that the installation of these meters represents a broader issue of insensitivity on the part of the administration, which they believe continues to ignore the economic struggles faced by the people of IIOJK. The smart meters, which are often associated with higher charges and increased monitoring of electricity consumption, have become a symbol of the administration’s indifference to the people’s needs.

The protests are part of a growing wave of discontent in IIOJK, where many feel that the Indian authorities have failed to address their basic needs while pushing through policies that worsen their financial instability. The growing resentment underscores the deepening sense of alienation and anger among the Kashmiri population, who continue to face a combination of economic hardship, political suppression, and social marginalization under Indian rule.

As protests spread to other areas of Budgam district and beyond, the message is clear: Kashmiris are fed up with policies that further burden them, and they are demanding a reconsideration of the government’s approach to their welfare.