Indian Express 26.05.2010
Without water for a week, slum dwellers protest outside MC office
Express News Service Tags : protest, water Posted: Tue May 25 2010, 03:21 hrs
Ludhiana: The residents of Jamuna Colony on the Pakhowal Road, one of the largest slum dwellings of the city, staged a dharna outside the Zone D office of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation on Monday. The residents, a majority of women, were protesting against the absence of water supply in the area for a week.The dwelling consists of over 500 jhuggis with the population of over 5,000. Ahead of elections, politicians visit the area and promise the gullible residents the moon but civic amenities in the area speak volumes about the promises kept.
Vimal Devi a resident of the slum, said, “Earlier we used to fetch water from canal flowing next to our colony. However, water supply in the canal has been shut down for almost a week and we do not have a drop of water to drink or wash.”
All-India Valmiki Jatti Sewak Sangh senior vice-president R S Parmar said, “The MC boasts of providing 100 per cent drinking water supply in the city but in this colony residents do not have a drop to drink. With the rising temperature, this might result in the outbreak of an epidemic.”
The protestors demanded to meet Mayor Hakam Singh Gill or Commissioner A K Sinha. However, both officials were not in the town. A battery of LMC officials assured the protestors that necessary action would be taken to restore water supply in the area.
