On Wednesday, the irrigation department began the temporary installation of a pipeline in Jainwat village to alleviate the problem of waterlogging.
However, as soon as the work commenced, some farmers from the village opposed it and halted the process. The department officials informed the police, who arrived at the site and tried to convince the farmers, but the farmers stood firm in their opposition.
The incident continued throughout the day, and later in the afternoon, a village council (panchayat) was convened by the village elders to discuss the issue.
The farmers demanded that the panchayat ensure compensation for the potential damage caused by the pipeline. By evening, the work on the pipeline could not resume.
According to the irrigation department officials, the pipeline installation will begin on Thursday after obtaining the consent of the villagers.
For the past four months, the residents of Jainwat village have been struggling with severe waterlogging caused by rainwater. Following complaints from the villagers, the administration sent five pump sets to the village to drain the water. However, the pump sets could not be started due to a lack of diesel.
On Tuesday, irrigation department officials inspected the site to plan the pipeline installation from the village to the canal and considered arranging temporary electricity connections to aid water drainage.
When work began on Wednesday, farmers objected to the pipeline passing through their fields, claiming it would damage their crops.
The farmers explained that they had managed to sow wheat after much effort when the water had dried up, hoping to secure food for their families and fodder for their livestock. They feared the pipeline installation through their fields would ruin their crops.
