Women blocked road in Jatanbari protesting lack of drinking water

In a fervent display of frustration, women residing in the vicinity of Jatanbari ITI blocked the road, demanding access to purified drinking water. The aggrieved residents claimed to have been grappling with a severe drinking water shortage for an entire year, with the water supply to the area adjacent to ITI completely severed.

The locals expressed their exasperation, revealing that the absence of a drinking water service has forced them to undertake a two-day journey to secure this basic necessity. With the situation escalating, the residents fear that if the drinking water service is not reinstated within the next 10 days, the water crisis will exacerbate further.

Enraged by the persistent water scarcity, women from the area took matters into their own hands, organizing a road blockade leading to Tithamukh in protest. The blockade was strategically placed to draw attention to the dire situation faced by the community.

Upon learning of the incident, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jatanbari Out Post and the Panchayat Secretary for the village swiftly intervened. They engaged in dialogue with the protestors, acknowledging their grievances.

During the discussions, the OC and Panchayat Secretary proposed a resolution – assuring the protestors that regular drinking water supply would be reinstated if the residents of the Panchayat pledged to provide this essential service consistently. The authorities urged the women to consider lifting the blockade, emphasizing their commitment to resolving the water crisis.

In response, the women cautiously agreed to withdraw from the road blockade contingent upon the Panchayat's commitment to delivering purified drinking water on a regular basis. However, they warned that if the promises were not fulfilled, they would not hesitate to resume their protest and re-block the road.