Agartala, November 30:In a symbolic protest just ahead of the dry season, women placed empty pitchers on the road and blocked the vital route connecting Tripura’s capital Agartala with the bordering town of Dharmanagar, which also links to Assam. The agitation erupted on Sunday near the Lalchara Lohar Gate area under Kadamtala police station in North Tripura district.
According to the protesters, for the past two to three months residents of Ward No. 4 of Bishnupur have been facing an acute drinking water crisis. Despite repeatedly informing the local panchayat and the administration, no remedial action was taken, they alleged. Frustrated by the prolonged neglect, villagers—mostly women—sat on the road, demanding immediate restoration of drinking water supply.
The protesters complained that more than two months they are deprived of supply of water and have to fetch water from distant areas which is tough job especially foe women which small children and despite informing the authorities no step has yet been taken towards resolving their issues and so on demand of water they blocked the road today.
Police from Kadamtala police station rushed to the spot and attempted to clear the blockade but failed. Later, Kadamtala Panchayat Samiti Chairman Mihir Ranjan Nath reached the site to speak with the agitating villagers.
Meanwhile, the road blockade caused severe hardship for commuters, with long queues of vehicles piling up on both sides of the highway.
