Protests In Labertal Budgam Over Smart Meters

A rousing chorus of women’s voices echoed through the narrow lanes of Labertal village in central Kashmir's Budgam district earlier on Wednesday as local residents led largely by young women halted a government team attempting to install smart electricity meters in the village. The women, some with tin boxes, others with sticks, stage protests over smart meter installation.

- Ansar Hussain

“Don't install meters here. Our youth are jobless, and there are always power cuts. Said a young woman. “We voted Omar Abdullah for serving people not for his own development, We won't let these meters get installed, take both the meters and electricity away”.

The protests unfolded just moments after the installation team arrived in Labertal village on Wednesday to install smart Meters.

According to Eyewitnesses “They had barely started unloading the meters when women surrounded them,” said a shopkeeper. “They shouted slogans, and warned the officials not to install meters”