Scuffle over water tank bare out in open

Scuffle between two municipal wards of Dharmanagar over a proposed water tank bare out in open with the women of ward number 6 staging a continuous road blockade in the area. The proposed water tank became a bone of contention between both the wards as soon as it was proposed to be set up in ward number 6.

Political intervention to shift the project to ward number 6, later added fuel to the fire. Reportedly, a group of political leaders went to ward 6 in order to persuade the locals but the women of the locality, blatantly, refused to hear any argument on the project.

According to the locals, as the water tank had proposed to be constructed in ward 6, it should be done accordingly. One of the local women said, “Problems related drinking water in our area is longstanding. And when finally it is going to be resolved as to how can we afford to lose it”.

However, in presence of all the higher officials it was unanimously decided to start construction of the proposed tank at a piece of land donated by one Amrit Debnath. On January 22 last. Later on, on January 28, digging for the project was started by the engineers of DWS department after an official resolution passed by the local civic body.

In the meantime, the work was, allegedly, suspended in the site after intervention of Zilla Parishad member Kajal Das. A 6-member committee of local political figures was formed to resolve the issue after a due course of negotiation but nothing came out fruitful.

According to the locals, as almost 70 to 80 feets had been already dug, it would be a sheer waste of government money if the project was shifted. On other hand, a section of the local politicians were, purportedly, trying to shift the project to ward 3 without paying much heed to the locals.

On Wednesday last, the situation turned volatile when the local women came out to the streets when attempts were being made to shift the tools. The scuffle led to a temporary postponement construction work.