INDORE: Angry residents of Bhagirathpura area, where 10 deaths have been reported because of contaminated drinking water – although MP govt has confirmed a toll of five so far – want those guilty of negligence to be held to account.Hours after reports of deaths and hospitalisations surfaced on December 29, Indore municipal corporation (IMC) officials found a toilet connected to Bhagirathpura police outpost was constructed without a proper septic tank. The waste line reportedly opened into a pit located directly above the pipeline for drinking water, allowing the contaminated water to enter the drinking water supply network in the area.”So many people lost their lives because there was negligence while constructing a police toilet? This is shocking. A case should be registered and someone should be held accountable,” said Ashok Pathi, a local.Residents demanded that a case of culpable homicide be registered against the contractor who constructed the toilet. However, officials said locating the original builder might be difficult. “A lot of the families are living in fear because what we trusted as safe drinking water turned fatal for so many. Someone’s negligence cost lives, and people responsible must be punished,” said Ramesh Verma, a resident.Authorities are now examining how the construction work was allowed without safeguards, and whether oversight lapses occurred. Lab findings are awaited, while residents continue to demand accountability and long-term measures to secure the drinking water system.”We are apprehensive every time we turn on the tap. Authorities should ensure this never happens again, and those at fault should not be allowed to walk away,” said Meena Jain, another local.Indore police collected soil samples from the suspected contamination site as part of the investigation. DCP Rajesh Vyas said, “Soil and water samples were collected for examination. Strict action will be taken against those responsible.”
