Supply of polluted water: Villagers vent ire at Saidapur panchayat officials

YADAGIR: Villagers of Anapura have vented ire at the water supply department for supplying contaminated water. Though three people have died after drinking polluted water, and 58 people were unstable, none of the officials are lending a ear to their woes even after 10 days of the incident. Hence, the villagers are forced to use dirty water for the domestic purposes, they claimed.

The Saidapur Gram Panchayat office building.

The villagers have alleged that the government released crore for a water purification unit, but it has been of no use.

On February 15, three people had died after drinking contaminated water. The deceased were identified as Savithramma, Sayamma and Narasamma. About 90 suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea. The local MLA Naganagowda Kandakuru also raised the issue in the just concluded legislature session and stressed that compensation should be givne to the bereaved families. Minister Prabhu Chavan also wrote a letter to the CM requesting release of grants. The CM also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for three families.

Basavaraj Saidapur, a villager, said the Saidapur village panchayat will be held responsible if anything happens to people.

A similar problem is now being faced by the people of Saidapur under Gurmitakal Assembly constituency. A resident of Saidapur, Basavaraj Saidapur, demanded the authorities concerned take action immediately. “The police registered a case five days after the deaths of three people. The water purification unit was installed a year ago, but there are leakages in the pipelines. Three people died after drinking contaminated water. This should not happen with any other villagers”, he said.

“It is sheer negligence of the district administration. If proper action is not taken, the villagers will protest against the DC, CEO and panchayat president. If anything happens to the villagers, the panchayat will be held responsible”, he added.