After 19-day stir, 51 women begin indefinite fast in Hisar’s Chanot village

Hisar: The 19-day-long agitation in Chanot village near Hansi intensified on Wednesday after 51 women, including an 80-year-old resident, began an indefinite hunger strike over the village's drinking water and electricity problems.The women protesters said they would continue their fast until the long-pending civic issues were resolved. They alleged that repeated appeals to the authorities failed to produce any concrete solution, forcing villagers to intensify their agitation.Among those on hunger strike is 80-year-old Ramrati, who said the villagers were only seeking basic amenities, which is their legitimate right. "Age is no barrier when it comes to fighting for the village's future," she said. Ex-sarpanch seeks withdrawl of FIRsFormer village sarpanch Satyavan accused the administration of attempting to curb the movement by registering criminal cases against villagers. He claimed that residents were protesting peacefully and demanded withdrawal of the FIRs lodged against protesters. Social activist Vishakha Choudhary, who has been actively associated with the agitation, questioned the public health department's actions, alleging that excavation for a drinking water pipeline was carried out on farmers' land without their consent.According to Choudhary, official land measurement records show that one to two karams of private agricultural land were used for laying the pipeline. She said villagers had submitted a complaint to the authorities on May 29 over damage to their properties, but instead of addressing their grievances, legal action was initiated against local residents.The protest centres on demands for drinking water connectivity, electricity-related issues and compensation for land allegedly used during the pipeline project. Villagers maintain that their opposition is aimed at protecting their property rights and ensuring access to essential services.A meeting between village representatives and district authorities, including the deputy commissioner, is scheduled for Wednesday evening. The talks are expected to focus on water supply, electricity issues, land disputes and the recent police cases. MSID:: 131485873 413 |