Shopain: Even after the authorities in Shopian town have allowed openings of markets in shifts, the washrooms functional in the town have remained closed, creating immense problems to the general public, particularly women.
These washrooms under the local municipality according to locals have been closed since the outbreak of pandemic .
“I saw people particularly women knocking the doors of locals as all such facilities in the town remain closed and,” said Shahid Ahmad a local from town.
He said that even though the pandemic has forced the market to close, there was no complete ban on public movement and the public urinals should have been kept open.
The people travelling on the Mughal road are also facing problems as the one such facility situated at the old bus stand also remains closed.
“Drivers and those who come from Rajouri and Poonch have nowhere to go for nature’s call ,” said Fayaz Ahmad , a driver.
Locals said that even when markets have resumed to work these toilets are still closed too under the nose of the Municipal committee. “When the toilets remain closed, it forces people to use open spaces in the vicinity that now is a clear violation of the laws,’ said Gulzar Ahmad another local said that such public facilities should never be closed.
According to officials, there are seven such public toilets and all of them remain closed in wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
When contacted Executive Officer Municipal committee Shopian, Muhammad Ismail Mir said that the toilets are being run by another agency and due to lockdown, they were closed.
“You have brought this to our notice, we will communicate with the operating agency to keep them available for the public, “ he said.

Raashid Hassan