Protest in Uri after youth dies of electric shock

Idrees Bukhtiyar
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24 Apr 2026

Srinagar,23 April: Residents of the border town Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday staged a protest against the Power Development Department (PDD), alleging negligence in the death of a 22-year-old student.

The deceased has been identified as Mohd Ishfaq Quraishi, son of Mohd Hanief Quraishi, a resident of Paranpeelan area of Uri.

Officials said the incident took place on Wednesday when the tin sheets he was carrying accidentally touched an 11,000-volt high-tension line, causing a fatal electric shock.

Angry protesters blocked the Uri-Baramulla highway at Chananwari for nearly two hours and staged a demonstration outside the PDD office, demanding strict action against the officials responsible.

The protesters alleged that the youth’s death was a result of the department’s negligence. They claimed that electric poles and wires in the area are in a dilapidated condition and poorly maintained, with several lines hanging dangerously low.

“We have repeatedly brought this issue to the notice of the department, but no corrective measures have been taken,” the protesters said.

Later, Tehsildar Uri, SHO Uri, and the Assistant Executive Engineer of the Power Department reached the spot and assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be addressed.