MADURAI: Residents belonging to the Scheduled Caste community in Amachiyapuram villager under Karupatti panchayat alleged that human feces was mixed in the drinking water stored in the village’s overhead tank (OHT). A preliminary inquiry revealed that the act was allegedly committed by a 14-year-old boy from the same village.
According to sources, the incident came to light after several villagers developed health issues and noticed a foul odour in the water on Monday. Following complaints, panchayat officials and the police conducted an inquiry.
Residents in their complaint said that for the past two days, several people in the village have been suffering from fever and vomiting. They stopped using the OHT water on Monday after noticing human feces in it. The villagers have urged the authorities to conduct a medical camp to assess and address their health concerns.
Speaking to TNIE, district collector K J Praveen Kumar said that, the act appears to have been committed by a 14-year-old boy from the same village.
“Further inquiry is underway. Meanwhile, the OHT is being thoroughly cleaned, and locking arrangements have been made to prevent such incidents in the future.” he said. The OHT had been inaugurated on October 5 and a trial run was going on.
When TNIE contacted Superintendent of Police B K Arvind, he said that the 14-year-old boy admitted to mixing human feces in the OHT ‘for fun’. He has accepted his mistake. No action has been taken against him yet. Further course of action will be decided after the inquiry is completed,” he said.
When TNIE contacted the District Health officer Dr Kumaragurubaran, he said that his team will collect water samples today and will conduct health camp for the villagers.