Residents clash over laying pipelines, block highway

Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, July 11

Commuters had to bear the burnt of traffic snarls on Wednesday noon when residents of the Shivalik Vihar blocked the Zirakpur-Patiala stretch following clash with another group from Bhabat village. The police intervened to pacify members of the two groups and managed to get the blockade lifted.

Sources said the two groups had been at loggerheads for the past several weeks over laying of pipelines at Bhabat village and connecting it with the sewage system of Shivalik Vihar to drain out rainwater during the rainy season.

The situation turned ugly when Shivalik Vihar residents opposed the work of laying pipelines, being carried by workers of the Municipal Council (MC), alleging that the sewerage in their area would overflow during the monsoon.

On the other hand people from Bhabat village entered into heated argument with Shivalik Vihar residents. The two groups exchanged blows with each other.

Demanding immediate arrest of the accused, Shivalik Vihar residents staged a protest and blocked the Zirakpur-Patiala highway for over half an hour.

Meanwhile, the police assured residents of a fair probe into the matter.