Dead fish found in Abohar reservoir

Our Correspondent

Abohar, June 11

After dead fish were found floating in the rural water works at Bhagsar village, 12 km from Abohar near the state highway, on Monday, villagers threw drinking water from their domestic containers fearing contamination of water.

Residents said the Department of Panchayats and Rural Development had placed the gram panchayat under suspension due to some controversies long time ago. A five-member ad hoc committee that looks after the village affairs had deployed staff to run the water works also. The Block Development and Panchayat Office had expressed inability to get the water reservoirs cleaned, citing shortage of funds and advised villagers to take up the job at their own cost. No efforts were made to get the work done under the MGNREGA, villagers resented.

In Abohar and Khuyiansarwer blocks, the Panchayat Samitis are headed by women having allegiance with the SAD-BJP alliance. In the Vidhan Sabha elections, Congress nominee Nathu Ram was elected MLA but he did not visit the village even once after the elections, villagers said.

When informed about the development, Water and Sanitation Department (Public Health) Sub Divisional Engineers Rajiv Kumar (Khuyiansarwer) and Ashima (Abohar) on Monday inspected the water works in Bhagsar and samples of water were taken. Officials said samples did not appear to be poisonous but real situation could be ascertained only after tests at the Mohali-based state laboratory.

Villagers said they had decided to hold a protest at the BDPO office on Tuesday. The Bhartiya Kisan Union has extended support alleging that the attitude of officials concerned had been callous.