Tamil Nadu

Villagers prevented from using hand pump, block road

Agitated over being denied the use of a hand pump located inside a temple, a section of residents in Birudur village blocked traffic plying on the Vandavasi- Melmaruvathur Road for more than an hour, in Tiruvannamalai district on Tuesday.

migrator

Tiruvannamalai

According to police, the villagers were dependent on the hand pump inside the Ponni Amman Temple due to the prevailing water crisis. “A few days ago, a local woman, who went into a trance, claimed that there was no rain due to people from a particular community drawing water from the hand pump. She said they should be stopped from doing so,” police said.


Paying heed to her claims, temple priest Karuna reportedly told members of that community that they could draw water only after special poojas were conducted. Agitated over this, they staged a road blockade on Tuesday. On receiving information about the same, police and revenue officials rushed to the spot. They assured that there was no bar on any community taking water from the hand pump, adding that severe action would be taken against those responsible if such a restriction was imposed.

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android

Chennai: Gold crosses Rs 1 lakh, up nearly 76% in 2025; silver hits record Rs 231 on December 22

India, New Zealand conclude FTA talks; pact to offer duty-free access, USD 20 bn FDI

MLA Humayun Kabir, suspended by TMC over Babri-style mosque plan, floats new party

After Hadi, another Bangladesh student leader shot in head

Indian Athletics in 2025: Neeraj hits 90m high but no end to country's doping woes