Hisar: The standoff over drinking water supply in Hansi's Chanot village intensified on Friday as district administration officials and villagers locked horns over the deteriorating health of the protesters who have been on a hunger strike for the last 11 days. The residents also sought accountability.
While Hansi deputy commissioner Rahul Narwal warned that the protest committee would be accountable if any untoward incident occurred, the fasting villagers issued affidavits stating that local MLA Vinod Bhyana, the DC and the superintendent of police would be responsible if their condition worsened. The agitation over the demand for drinking water connections in Chanot village entered its 35th day on Friday.
Administration's Proposal
Addressing the media, the DC said the administration remained committed to resolving the water crisis and had already initiated work on a long-term solution. He said the public health engineering department had started laying an approximately 8 km-long water supply pipeline from Rajli Head to Chanot village. Narwal said the project was expected to be completed within two or three months.
The DC expressed concern over the deteriorating health of elderly hunger strikers, particularly an 81-year-old protester. He said temporary treatment facilities at the protest site, including intravenous drips, were not adequate. "If any unfortunate incident occurs, responsibility will lie with the protest committee and those present at the site," he said. The administration also announced that a dedicated district-level hotline for rural water-related complaints would be launched next week to ensure round-the-clock grievance redressal.
Protesters Reject Proposed Pipeline
The hunger strikers, however, rejected the administration's proposal and issued signed affidavits asserting that they were participating in the fast voluntarily and were not acting under pressure or political influence. They alleged that instead of addressing the issue, authorities were attempting to suppress their voice through media briefings and misleading public statements.
Villagers maintained that they were not seeking a separate Rajli Head pipeline but wanted drinking water access through the urban water pipeline that would pass through their village. According to the protesters, connecting Chanot through the existing city pipeline would reduce project costs and avoid future issues linked to electricity and pumping infrastructure.
Health Concerns Grow
Protest organisers said 81-year-old Tekram Duhan and Balwan Duhan recorded significantly low blood pressure levels, while Rajkumar Dhanak reportedly complained of an increased heart rate. Dilbag Duhan, another protester, suffered episodes of vomiting. Several farmer leaders, including Balbir Singh, Suresh Kauth, Joginder Nain, Vikas Sinsar, Ratan Mann, Dashrath Malik and Harshdeep Gill, visited the protest site and extended their support.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) held a meeting at the protest site and announced that if the issue remained unresolved, a "mahapanchayat will be organised at Hansi's Jat Dharamshala on June 22, where future strategy and a possible escalation of the agitation will be decided".
Confrontation Continues
The agitation centres on the demand for an assured drinking water supply. While the administration has proposed a dedicated pipeline from Rajli Head as a long-term solution, protesters insist that the village should instead be connected to an urban water pipeline passing through the area. The disagreement over the mode of supply has now expanded into a wider confrontation involving public health concerns, administrative intervention and growing support from farmer groups.
