BJP Activists Scuffle With Police While Staging Protest In Odisha’s Rourkela Over Cholera Deaths

Rourkela: Tension prevailed in Odisha’s Rourkela on Tuesday as a scuffle broke out between BJP workers and police personnel during a demonstration over the outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea in the city recently.

When some workers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to enter the office of the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) by scaling the main gate, police personnel deployed at the site stopped them from doing so.

The demonstrators demanded adequate compensation to those affected by the outbreak of the disease. They claimed that diarrhoea and cholera claimed the lives of around 15 people, while  over 1400 others were affected due to contaminated water.

The protesters held WATCO responsible for the situation claiming that drain water got mixed with the PHD water due to leakages in pipeline at 37 places. They sought compensation to the families of those who died due to diarrhoea and cholera as the outbreak was caused by supply of contaminated water.

The BJP leaders demanded Rs 20 lakh compensation for each family of the deceased and job to the next of kin. Stern action should also be taken against those responsible for the situation in Rourkela, they said.

RMC officials said the overall situation is now under control and over 75,000 ORS packets have been distributed, while WATCO has repaired leakages at over 100 places. Similarly, Jal Sathis have been mobilised to address the issue of muddy water.