High drama unfolded at Gharadhara village under Khadiala block in Nuapada district on Sunday when a young man climbed atop a cell phone tower and threatened to commit suicide demanding drinking water facilities in the village. The youth has been identified as Hemant Rana.
As per reports, there are only three tube wells at Gharadhara village. But the villagers depend upon only one tube well for drinking and other domestic uses as the water from other two pumps are not fit for use.
However much to the dismay of the locals, the tube well that provides suitable drinking water is situated on the premises of the Anganwadi centre in the village and the workers often lock the gate of the centre denying the villagers to fetch drinking water from it.
Demanding more number of tube wells in the village and access to the one at the anganwadi centre, Rana is believed to have climbed atop the tower to spread the word of protest before the administration.
As per the latest report, Rana has reportedly got down the cell tower after a large number of people in the area including his family members congregated near the base of the tower and pleaded him to come down.
Sources said, officials of the block administration also assured him to install more drinking water facilities in his village.
(Edited by Suryakant Jena)