Handwara, Aug 25: Thousands of fish have died in North Kashmir after miscreants’ allegedly sprinkled bleaching powder in a rivulet.
Both Irrigation and Flood Control and Fishery Department are blaming each other trying to save their skin.
The incident has taken place in Devsar Natnusa area of North Kashmir’s Handwara town. Ironically, people in large numbers were seen taking these dead fish home for cooking purpose while authorities didn’t bother to visit the spot.
Locals told news agency KNT that thousands of fish were found dead due to use of bleaching powder.
District Officer Fisheries said that the rivulet belongs to Irrigation and Flood Control Department and it is their baby. An official from I&FC said water body belongs to the department but the fish is the property of fisheries department.
The rivulet was stinking. “They should at least take action against those who put bleaching powder. The stench will make our children sick,” said Aijaz Ahmed, a concerned local.
The northern parts of Valley have witnessed such incidents in past as well. (KNT)
