Rohtak: A man climbed on top of a mobile tower in Kheri Sadh village in Haryana’s Rohtak district on Thursday alleging villagers in the area are suffering from acute water scarcity and people’s complaints to authorities have fallen on deaf ears.
The man, identified as Devender, climbed onto the tower at around 10.45 am and sat on top of it for almost three hours. Police arrived at the scene to try to convince the man to climb down. But he refused, demanding his village’s issues be resolved.
“We are suffering because we do not have clean drinking water. Our roads are also in bad condition and our lanes are full of water,” Devender said.
“We used to get water during the Chautala led INLD government and the Congress government. But during the current BJP government, we do not have clean water supply,” he added,
“The villagers have tried to meet the Chief Minister to voice their concerns but we were prevented by the police.”
Tehsildar And Councillor Arrive
Tehsildar Gulab Singh and Councillor Parikshit Deshwal arrived at the village after getting news of the situation. They too tried to convince him to descend but he refused.
Devender was sitting about 40 feet up the tower. The tower is more than 100 feet high and the man only had one bottle of water with him, according to his family.
Police and local authorities have been trying to ensure the man comes down safely. Senior officials have also been informed.
Villagers Say No Clean Water For 12 Years
Devender’s maternal grandfather Ranbir Singh said the family and other villagers have repeatedly complained to the municipal corporation but no long term solution has been found.
“We visited the Mayor a few days back and he assured us that the work would happen but nothing has changed,” he added,
“Not a drop of water has come to the village in the last 12 years.”
“During the Chautala government, we did get some water. During the Congress government we got water every third day. But during the current BJP government we aren’t getting any water,” he added,
“Some of the villagers have installed submersible pumps in their homes to get water.”
Village Water Reservoir Full Of Dirt And Broken Wall
Ranbir Singh also complained about the state of the village’s water reservoir.
“The reservoir is full of dirt and filth. We often see stray dogs and animals in there. One of the walls has collapsed and it has become a hub for drug addicts,” he added,
“But nothing has been done to resolve this.”
Ranbir Singh Says Was Prevented From Meeting CM
Devender’s grandfather said he had previously met the Chief Minister to voice his village’s concerns but issues haven’t been resolved.
“I tried to meet the Chief Minister again but I wasn’t allowed. I tried a third time but was arrested by the police and sent away.”
“We have faced political issues to get water to the village. There is a pipeline nearby to a school linked to the former Finance Minister. We need to dig to fix it but officials haven’t done anything,” he added.
Devender Says Won’t Come Down Until Issues Resolved
Devender said he has previously raised the village’s concerns during a redressal meeting and has tried to approach officials but no solution has been found.
“I have no personal demands. I have done this because of the issues faced by the residents,” he added,
“I will not come down until the issue is resolved.” Our village has issues which need to be resolved.
A man had climbed onto a mobile tower, Sub Inspector Ashok Kumar of the IMT police station confirmed. Police teams had arrived after getting news of the situation and were trying to ensure the man comes down safely.
Senior police officials have been informed and the municipal corporation have also been notified, he added.