Bhangarpar: Empty Pitcher, Full Rage; Women's Protest Brings Traffic to a Standstill

Residents of Bhangarpar Part-I staged a road blockade on the Silchar-Kalain route, demanding access to clean drinking water.

Hundreds of angry women and men gathered with water pots in hand to block the busy road, causing traffic disruptions and stranding vehicles. The protest, sparked by the lack of potable water in the area for the past four years, brought the issue into sharp focus.

Despite the government launching the Jal Jeevan Mission to supply water to every household, the residents of Bhangarpar Part – I remain deprived. According to locals, the only drinking water project in the area has been non-functional for around four years. Efforts to repair the project by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department have failed repeatedly, leaving over 400 families struggling for clean water.

“The water supply project in our locality is halted since five years. We reached out to everyone from DC to Panchayat, but everyone just says they will see the matter, but nothing was done,” said a resident. “Whenever we think we might get water again, something else gets damaged, taking our hope away. Our demand to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is to fix this issue as soon as possible, and we would be grateful.”

Protesters chanted slogans and vowed to continue their agitation until the issue was resolved. Another resident expressed hope that the protest would uncover the reasons behind the continuous delays, saying, “We don’t know what mystery is behind this continuous hassle, but I hope post this protest, the truth will come out.”

Police were present at the scene to manage the crowd and ensure peace. Meanwhile, the blockade has led to severe traffic congestion, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded. Residents insist they will not withdraw their protest until their demand for clean water is met.