Flood fears spark standoff as villagers in Punjab's Phillaur try to divert water

Amid widespread community support for flood-hit villages, unusual confrontations and panic reactions have begun to surface, incidents that were previously unheard of in the region.

The first such incident was reported from Nasrala village in Phillaur (Jalandhar), located on the opposite bank of the flood-hit Sasrali village in Ludhiana along the Sutlej. Sasrali made headlines yesterday after its embankment reportedly weakened, prompting villagers to rush in large numbers to strengthen it.

Last evening, youths from Lasara, Selkiana, and Kadian Jhandi Pir villages in Phillaur reported that while monitoring water released from the Bhakra Dam, they spotted individuals approaching the Phillaur side with a poclain machine. Suspecting an attempt to weaken their embankment and divert water toward Phillaur, the youths contacted local MLA Vikramjit Chaudhary. He, in turn, notified the Jalandhar DC and the police.

As tensions escalated, the poclain operators were forced to retreat. Chaudhary said, “It was clearly an attempt to breach our side of the river. The youths were vigilant and we turned back officials from Ludhiana as well. Since then, villagers have maintained a 24X7 watch to prevent any mischief.”

SDM Phillaur Parleen Kaur Brar said, “We were informed about the incident and have notified the higher authorities. The panic has largely settled now.”

A similar incident occurred this evening at Bela Tajowal village in Balachaur (Nawanshahr). Congress leader Ajay Mangurpur said a poclain machine from Chamkaur Sahib (Ropar) was brought to their village on a truck. “The embankment opposite our village falls under the Chamkaur Sahib area. We forced the machine to return. Within an hour, the truck returned with administrative and police officials from Chamkaur Sahib. At this point, local youths blocked the truck from moving further. Our SDM and police officials also reached the spot,” he said.

BJP leader Rajwinder Lucky said, “The Balachaur side of the Sutlej embankment is already weak. We have been working for the past eight days to strengthen our bandh. Now Chamkaur Sahib officials want to deploy a poclain on our side to protect their side and channel more river water toward us. We will not allow this. Their truck remains parked near our village and we suspect foul play, but we are all at the site and will keep watch through the night.”

Kritika Goyal, SDM Balachaur, said, “We received reports about machines coming from Chamkaur Sahib, but these were not allowed to operate. The matter has been sorted out.”