Villagers clash over flooding by rainwater
› It is dangerous to live in Jodhpur village. All 38 singleroom dwellings here have over three feet stagnant water. GURMEET SINGH HAYER, Barnala MLA
With the monsoon upon us, it is a problem of plenty of water as far as villages in district are concerned. Efforts to obstruct rainwater from flowing to their villages led to stonepelting between residents of Cheema and Jodhpur villages on Saturday.
Law and order will have taken a hit, the authorities intervened to ensure that there was limited damage.
The trouble started when residents of Jodhpur village tried to stop water from flowing into their village. They attempted to do this by throwing mud and even a large water pipe into the small canal that flows into their village, downstream from Patti Sekhwan, Nainewal, Kaire, Raisar and Cheema villages..
This infuriated Cheema village residents, immediately on the water flow line.
The situation got tense, but sub-divisional magistrate Bikramjit Singh Shergill reached the spot with police to control the situation. "There was tension in the area due to the flooding in fields and homes after rain. There is not much loss to paddy seedlings though almost all villages of the area are affected by incessant rains," said Shergill.
“Things were normal and there was no untoward incident,” said DSP Rajesh Kumar.
"Cheema residents wanted a portion of the national highway to cut for flow of water across the road to the Jodhour village. I told them that it was not possible," said Shergill.
MLA Gurmeet Singh Hayer said, "I have visited Jodhpur village. All 38 single-room dwellings here have over 3-feet standing water. They are living a dangerous life. Even their crops are likely to be damaged. Villagers have put their belongings in open as their houses are unsafe. The situation is pitiable and dangerous to their lives.”
Residents of Dhilwan and Jagjitpura held dharnas alleging callous attitude of district administration.
Shergill, however, said, "I, along with the tehsildar, naib tehsildar, block development and panchayat officer Shaina and three DSPs visited the affected area. The situation is being monitored.”